Leeds United will host a special matchday for mental health charity Mind ahead of the Sky Bet Championship fixture against Sheffield United on Saturday 16 March.

The activity taking place at Elland Road is all about helping to raise awareness among fans about mental health and the support the charity provides. Alongside this they also hope to raise vital funds to tackle mental health problems, both locally and nationally.

The activation comes as part of Mind’s charity partnership with the EFL, which will see the charity work with all 72 EFL clubs, including the Whites, to help bring a lasting legacy around mental health in football.

The charity matchday will include:

• A bucket collection ahead of kick-off to support vital local mental health services provided by the club’s local Mind branch – Leeds Mind
• Information leaflets about mental health and Mind throughout the ground and in the matchday programme
• An awareness-raising video will be played on the big screen
• Announcements about the day over the tannoy

Mind’s own research shows that 56% of people feel that football fans find it easier to show their emotions at football matches than at any other time. Despite this the charity also knows that many fans, particularly men, are likely to be struggling in silence for fear of opening up about their mental health. The charity hopes mental health-themed match days like this will begin to open up the conversation among football fans about their mental health as well as raising awareness about the support Mind offers.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. That could be one person in every family, hundreds of football players and many thousands of football fans.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with all 72 clubs in the EFL, as part of our charity partnership with them, to be real game-changers in the way football tackles mental health. We hope that events like our match day with Leeds United will reach out to fans and let them know that whoever you support, Mind supports you.”

For more information about Mind’s partnership with the EFL and wider work in football, please visit mind.org.uk/football.