Newport County AFC is again supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, which starts today and runs until May 24.
Mental health is a particularly high-profile subject during the current Covid-19 pandemic. A combination of concerns over the virus and the effect of lockdown restrictions is having a significant impact on mental health for many people.
However, former Arsenal and England player Paul Merson said recently that mental health was part of everyday life and awareness of it should not be restricted to a week or a day once a year. That mirrors the approach Newport County AFC takes to the subject.
As a supporter-owned and community-based football club, mental health is an important topic for us and is discussed more than once every week. We work closely with EFL partners Mind and local charity My Discombobulated Brain. Every week the club issues information about mental health advice and support via our Wellbeing Wednesday feature on our website and social media channels.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘be kind’.
During the week we will be publishing blogs, articles and experiences from people involved with the club and our partners, along with some tips to help improve your mental wellbeing and support those around you.
If you know of someone that would benefit with a message from the club. Please email office@newport-county.co.uk with the topic 'Mental Health'.
If you do feel the need to speak to anyone or have concerns for others, please contact one of the following organisations who have connections locally:
Samaritans Newport; Text 116 123 at anytime
Newport Mind; 01633 258741
Hafal; 01633 264763
Alternatively, you can call Gwent Primary Care Mental Health Support Services on 0330 053 5596 for help from our local NHS Provider.
If you have urgent concerns for someone’s life please refer to NHS Website or call the emergency services if there is an imminent threat to life then call 999
Stay well, Exiles!