Chronicle.Live.UK reported a few days ago that the football and basketball teams in North East England are uniting to sign a charter to stop discrimination against people with ill mental health. They have also jointly pledged to support people with poor mental health. Football teams, Gateshead FC, Cardinal Vipers, Leam Rangers, NE Athletic joined basketball teams Newcastle Eagles and Gateshead Phoenix to be the first in Tyne and Wear to put their names to the Charter.
Every year, one-in-four people will experience a mental health problem! Yet, it is still something the majority of sufferers find difficult to talk about or share.
Darius Defoe, from basketball champions Newcastle Eagles, said:
“Many sports, such as ours, are team based and success is based on the support we give each other. If any of our team mates need picking up, or need a little bit of help, we’re here to help get them through it.”
The Charter, developed by the Sport and Recreation Alliance and Professional Players Federation, was created to use the power of sport and recreation to make activities welcoming, positive and inclusive for everyone.
