The Leeds United Foundation have been helping to raise awareness around World Mental Health Day by delivering educational workshops throughout their various programmes over the last few weeks.

World Mental Health Day takes place on Monday 10th October, and it is an international day for education, awareness, and advocacy against the social stigma around mental health. The awareness event was first celebrated in 1992 and support has continued to grow with the global mental health organisation responsible for the annual day now holding members and contacts in more than 150 countries.

The theme this year is based around making mental health and wellbeing a global priority, which has been taken very seriously by the club’s official charity, with coaches and staff spreading the word and delivering mental health awareness sessions throughout their programmes - sharing useful information, and offering advice and support.

One of the sessions they recently delivered was with the Leeds Girls Academy, with coaches speaking to the young players about stress, anxiety, and the early signs of mental health worries along with ways to seek help and improve wellbeing. The same workshops have also been delivered with the Development Centres and Skills Centres, reaching hundreds of young people throughout the local community.

The Health and Wellbeing department host a number of initiatives every week that support people’s mental health and wellbeing, with sessions based at Elland Road, including social clubs and various exercise classes. They will also be delivering a new six-week FIT Minds course in November, that is designed to help work towards your mental health goals, with the main aim of supporting participants with their confidence and ability to cope with day-to-day stresses.

For any further information on the sessions and programmes being delivered by the Health and Wellbeing team, or to sign up to the upcoming FIT Minds course, please contact [email protected].