Kingston University men’s American football and football teams have both announced on their social media accounts separate Movember campaigns to support men’s mental and physical health.
Movember happens every year in November with various companies and franchises supporting the event.
Cougars (AMF) Vice President Andrew Ash said: “Movember is a special movement that represents what the Kingston American Football team stands for. Men’s mental health matters, and we are proud to take part in a movement that reflects this.
“As someone who has previously struggled with mental health, Movember is an extremely important movement for me. Encouraging men to speak about their problems is something I will always stand for.
“Movember represents hope that more men struggling with their mental health will seek support.”
According to the men’s health forum, only 38% of the NHS’s talking therapy referrals are men. However 78% of deaths by suicide are males, begging the question, why are men not speaking up and seeking help?
Kingston football 2nds captain Joey Mull said: “Men’s mental health has been stigmatised in a way that makes people too scared or insecure to speak up about their turmoils, despite that being the best way to deal with them.
“Everyone has the right to voice their struggles. That being said, mental health does not mean weakness. Weakness is the refusal to do something about your struggle, not your struggle itself. Speaking up is one of the strongest things one can do.”
Both the AMF and Football teams’ donation links will be below.
Football: Movember – Team
American football: Movember – Home
Helplines: Mental Health Helpline for Urgent Help – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or Text “SHOUT” to 85258 for free from all major UK mobile networks.
Amelia Jones 
Hermione Marszalek