Children’s Mental Health Week is a key part of the Academy calendar here at Manchester United, with the aim of encouraging different types of conversations.
Every year, United supports Children’s Mental Health Week, alongside Mental Health Awareness Month in May, marking both with numerous engagements and activities throughout the club.
This year, the Academy centred its focus around three key areas for players, staff, and their wider support systems; building connections beyond the pitch, making the Academy feel like home, and asking more curious questions.
Academy director Stephen Torpey said: “Children’s Mental Health Week is a key part of our Academy awareness calendar, it’s really important to continue to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, and highlight the positive ways that our young players can communicate their emotions.
“Over the course of the week, we’ve seen our young players, their support systems and our staff embrace different activities and challenges designed to bring the Academy even closer together.
”Throughout the year, we will continue our extensive work in this area, encouraging players - and people of all ages - to speak openly about their mental health.“
One of the key activities for United’s Academy players was creating a ‘My Place’ wall, where youngsters identified areas that make the Academy feel like home.
Over the course of the week, young players of all ages were encouraged to provide their thoughts:
“I feel a strong sense of belonging because of the club because of the environment, the feedback from the coaches, and support from my parents.”
“The Academy helps you build character through the ups and downs which makes you a stronger person and player.”
“I feel like I belong because of the appreciation I get from the coaches and from other players.”
The activities have been strongly supported by senior figures at the club too, with Under-21s lead coach Adam Lawrence and Under-18s lead coach Darren Fletcher both supporting their groups to create a positive environment and showcase the importance of children’s mental health.
The club will continue its work educating young people on how to express their feelings and emotions in a safe, positive, and healthy way.
For further information on Children’s Mental Health Week, you can head over to the charity Place2be’s website for more information.