Newport County AFC are proud to be supporting World Suicide Prevention Day.
Every 90 minutes a life is lost to suicide in the UK, which is why every year on 10th September, organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.
Laura Dernie, founder of My Discombobulated Brain, said: "World Suicide Prevention Day is important as we need to remind people that suicide is a long term fix for a short term problem.
"I understand it doesn’t feel short term at the time but i promise you it is. Having a club like Newport County AFC partner with us means we can help as many people as we can."
Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West, added: "Take this day as an opportunity to reach out to people you haven’t heard from during lockdown, old friends or relatives.
"We never know who is struggling, or those who just need to hear a kind word.”
Earlier this week, Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, announced additional mental health support that anyone in Wales can access when they need to.
The package is supported by £1.3m Welsh Government funding and includes a new online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy course and other online and phone support services.
As a football club, we also want to be part of the solution and not the problem which is why we have pledged to start the conversation about mental health.
We signed up to the Mental Health Charter for Sports and Recreation in November 2019, and want to encourage you to contact the County in the Community team if you feel any of their sessions could support you in improving your mental wellbeing.
CITC use the power of sport, education and training to engage with all members of the Gwent-wide community - regardless of age, ethnicity, physical ability or economic status. Through the delivery of their various projects they aim to change lives, inspire sport and physical activity participation, improve health and wellbeing, and build greater community cohesion.
You can find details on the sessions provided by CITC on their website by clicking here.
Jack Sargeant, Member of the Senedd for Alyn and Deeside, said: "Football has the power to reach so many people and I am delighted to support Newport County AFC's annual campaign to raise awareness about suicide.
"They are a great club and do truly outstanding work to support the community of Newport.”
John Griffiths, Member of the Senedd for Newport East, said: "I am pleased Newport County AFC are using their platform in the city to raise awareness of World Suicide Prevention Day.
"If we know someone who is feeling suicidal or struggling with their mental health generally, we can all play a part in trying to reach out to support them.
"Suicide still blights the lives of too many families in Wales. I will continue to work with Welsh Government, our local health board, Newport County AFC, trade unions and others to campaign for greater support and awareness.”
If you need support for your mental health, the following charities and organisations can provide help and further information for you.
My Discombobulated Brain: www.mydiscombobulatedbrain.com
Mind: www.mind.org.uk
Heads Together: www.headstogether.org.uk
Shout: www.giveusashout.org
Time to Change: www.time-to-change.org.uk
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org