Photo: Twitter/KensingtonRoyal
Prince William and David Beckham discuss mental health in football
Prince William spoke to former England captain David Beckham about the challenges faced during his football career and mental health.
Photo: Twitter/KensingtonRoyal
Prince William is hoping a declaration signed by the football family to create a “mentally healthy culture” will send a clear message to millions of fans.
Yes, the Duke of Cambridge’s Royal Foundation has been the driving force behind the document signed by governing bodies, leagues and organisations from across UK football. It’s said that the prince is particularly worried about the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on people’s mental health.
A ‘collective game plan’
Sky News reports that Prince William said that players, managers, officials and staff now have a “collective game plan” to tackle the issue.
In a video to mark the Mentally Healthy Football Declaration, William said: “I’m delighted to announce that today the entire football system across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland has united around a common goal, to develop a mentally healthy culture across the game by signing a landmark Mentally Healthy Football Declaration. Football is a team sport and, for the first time, there is a collective game plan to make mental health the top part in the game.”
In another video call William spoke to former England captain David Beckham, England Women’s captain Steph Houghton, Aston Villa player Tyrone Mings, Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend and Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti.
They spoke about their own experiences of dealing with challenges during their footballing careers, and the importance of reaching out for support.
Beckham, 45, said: “I made a mistake in ’98 [getting sent off versus Argentina in the World Cup] and the reaction at the time was pretty brutal.
“If social media was around when I was going through that time, it would have been a whole different story. But I was lucky, I had a support system within Manchester United, the manager, and obviously family. But did I feel it was okay at the time to go to someone and say I need help? No, because it was a different era, and I just felt that I had to keep it all in and deal with it myself. Whereas now I’m the one preaching to my kids and to other kids that I talk to out there that it’s really important to talk. We all know now that it’s okay not to be okay, and it’s okay to say that. It’s okay to come out and say I need help.”
William, who is president of the Football Association, said in the launch video that the aim of the declaration was to create a culture where everyone in football is “encouraged to stay on top of their mental fitness, just as they do their physical fitness”.
The declaration was later signed by chief executive officers and chairs from across football.
Dealing with depression in South Africa
In South Africa, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) said they are receiving more calls from people feeling anxious, panicked and stressed.
A recent Sadag survey suggests that 55% had feelings of anxiety and panic and 46% were under financial stress and pressure. It’s reported that the group averaged about 600 calls per day before the lockdown – now it’s between 1 200 and 1 400 calls a day.
