Good Mental Health

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 3:11 pm on 24 March 2021.

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Photo of John Griffiths John Griffiths Labour 3:11, 24 March 2021

Minister, a major issue is men's mental health and their tendency not to talk about their feelings and problems, as we've discussed many times. So, it is important to reach men with the right messages through a variety of means and organisations, and of course to have good role models. Given the profile and reach of professional football, I do think there's a strong role for our clubs in playing their part, and I'm very pleased that the team I support, Newport County Association Football Club, have shown very strong initiatives in this area. Two years ago, they became the only club in Wales—and only the fourth, actually, in the English Football League—to sign the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation. They now work with a variety of organisations in the city to take forward policies for good mental health. They have players as mental health ambassadors, including talking about their own difficulties and experiences. County in the Community ensure that community activities incorporate good mental health messages. There's a 'well-being Wednesday', where social media, and indeed, the club's website, are used to get across information and advice. They do a range of activities during Mental Health Awareness Week. It really is, I think, a good example to sport in Wales in general, Minister, and I wonder if you will join me, when circumstances permit, in visiting the club and discussing these initiatives and how they can be built upon for the future.