Today (Saturday November 19) marks International Men’s Day, and this month is Men’s Mental Health Month, so what better day to highlight and promote awareness of the services and activities available to males experiencing poor mental wellbeing?

Statistics shared by Movember show that every minute, somewhere in the world, a man dies by suicide. That’s 90 sons, husbands, brothers and fathers for every 90-minute game during the Football World Cup. By the full-time whistle of the final, and 64th match, over 5,760 males will have died by suicide.

In the UK, the situation is dire. Three out of four suicides are by men and around 13 men take their life every day. The rate of registered suicides in England and Wales has risen to pre-pandemic levels, with more than 5,500 in 2021. This is why it is so important we work together to call full-time on male suicide.

Movember have been supported by a host of global stars to put together a campaign video that can be viewed below.

Today, Watford FC’s Training Ground is playing host to a Movember event, organised in partnership with Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust. Among the Trust’s partners at Minds United, Herts Mind Network, St Albans City FC and The Josh Hanson Trust, today’s activities will be attended by participants from the Trust’s health programmes Shape Up, Shape Up Together and Man On.

Shape Up is an adult weight management project encouraging behaviour change and sustainable weight loss. Part of the Shape Up family, Shape Up Together has similar outcomes designed specifically for those with a diagnosed mental health illness or learning disability. For anyone wanting to access this programme contact shapeup@watfordfc.com

Man On is a wellbeing session, using physical activity and workshops to support local men aged 18 to 65 years old. With weekly sessions in Watford and St Albans, and a third starting in Three Rivers in January, we’d encourage anyone who feels this session could help. Please contact taylor.morrison@watfordfc.com

The event on International Men’s Day is a celebration of the services available, a chance to promote awareness of a vitally important subject, as well as a fundraiser for global charity Movember.

Movember exist to stop men dying too young by tackling some of the most complex health issues facing men today – mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. What started as a single-minded fundraising and awareness campaign in 2003 has evolved into a multi-faceted health organisation with programmes accessed by millions worldwide. For more information and to donate, click HERE.

To keep up to date with all things Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust, search @WFCTrust on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube - or visit www.watfordfccsetrust.com.

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