This Thursday is World Mental Health Day.
A day where 150 countries attempt to educate and spread awareness regarding mental Health.
In the UK alone, 1 in 4 people a year will experience some form of Mental Health, in a week 1 in 6 report having a diagnosis of depression or anxiety.
During your lifetime, 1 in 5 individuals have suicidal thoughts, 1 in 14 will self-harm, 1 in 15 attempt suicide.
It’s an illness that doesn’t discriminate and we are all vulnerable too.
Over the years society has got better at having discussions and that’s all I want readers to have …… a conversation.
Arsenal work with charities who equally want to promote the need to chat about feelings.
Ex Gunners have been candid about their struggles with Mental Health. Only this year Hector Bellerin called for a bigger spotlight to be shone on the issue, while Thierry Henry now reflects of being depressed but not realising it at the time.
It would be wrong of me not to use my platform to highlight a cause close to my heart.
One of the biggest compliments my articles ever got was when a reader told me that during COVID my writing acted as a comfort to them when they were finding daily life a challenge.
From my own experiences, comforts can save your life.
Arsenal has always been my comfort blanket, my shield, my escape, my safe place.
At rock bottom, football was my one constant, the one thing that couldn’t be taken away, a sport where anything can happen, it can’t be controlled, I could let my imagination take over and dream.
That might be heavy but that’s the point of this Thursday. To open up and share.
Some clubs at the weekend had a scheme where on a certain minute supporters should turn to the person sat next to them and simply ask ‘Are you Okay’.
On Thursday, do the same, whether you’re at work, on the bus, a family member, a friend or even on here. I’m happy for Admin to share my email if anyone ever needs support.
If one person benefits from this then JustArsenal have played their part
Are YOU okay?
Dan
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
I’m both bipolar and suffer from depression
It helps to not be rude to each other
Criticism is fine but shouldn’t be abusive
Some people with mental health issues can be upset more than others
Just be kind to people
especially to other Arsenal fans, Steph….
Yes totally agree
Takes allot of courage to share that Steph
Thanks Dan
Do you find Arsenal / football a comfort ?
Not an easy thing to deal with, i acted tough at first , and almost quit my job! had to take that step to seek help at least to save ME and FAMILY. Those 6 months seeing a phsychitrist did help and am glad i took that step, not yet perfect but now there is that meaning to life. Football and just arsenal are the things i enjoyed the most. Listening to people more and not Judging helps. You never know what someone is going through!
Thank you for sharing
I’m so happy that Justarsenal help you
Dan
I personally find Arsenal football a comfort , it is something I share with my boys, my daughter occasionally as well.
It’s like am always learning something new, being able to learn more about Arsenal the playing style, the different phases how then evolve, constantly learning more about a game I find so entertaining.
It is a beauty seeing how people comes together to support the team.
There is a noticeable absence of a certain fan on the site who finds pleasure insulting others, not sure it is by design or he may have had his fill.
But Arsenal football though not all time good for the heart, it is surely good for the soul, when we suffer who do it together
My dream is to one day to have a daughter and take her to Arsenal
Your blessed
A very good article, and fair play to Stephanie, Kenya and Gunsmoke for their posts. I sincerely hope you win your battle, because that’s what it is, against your depression.