World Mental Health Day 2023 | 'Mental health is a universal human right'
The following is a blog posted by Dr Mikel Mellick, Cardiff City Club Medical Support (Psychology & Mental Health). On this World Mental Health Day, please take a few moments to read…
We all have a duty TO care!
Every year on 10th October we acknowledge World Mental Health Day. The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’. On this day, we focus attention on mental health and driving positive change within communities.
At Cardiff City, we continue to strive to ensure the mental health and wellbeing of the whole Club community. We acknowledge that periods of mental and emotional vulnerability are typical and understandable and recognise that, in such times, all are deserving of help and support. In accepting this, we must also accept that as a Club we have a duty to provide and promote communal care.
Communal Club care is a commitment to being there for one another.
Being a ‘good’ Club citizen means the right to ask for help and the responsibility to give help when you can. It is a shared commitment across the Club whether as a fan, player, or employee to being there for one another, recognising that sometimes people can’t take care of themselves.
So, on this Mental Health Day, we can all take a moment to ask how we can best serve those within our Club community. Could we offer a lift to a game to a fellow fan who is struggling with their mental health having lost a loved one? Could we stand up for someone who is the subject of a racial slur? Or perhaps we could check in on a colleague who has been away sick?
The ultimate goal is a Club membership through which we offer help and support to others before having to be asked. In doing so, we move from there being an onus on the person who’s struggling to ask for help to shaping a proactive Club community that is already responding in a humane and supportive manner.
Dr Mikel Mellick, Club Medical Support (Psychology & Mental Heath) is working closely with Dr Len Nokes, Club Medical Director, on a whole-club community relational approach to mental health and well-being.
Their focus in on building a club that ensures a powerful support role during periods of psychological vulnerability and/or trauma; that promotes effective and responsive coping resource access and social support; that facilitates compassionate relationships and that works to promote and maintain optimism and emotional resilience for all involved with the Club. In this way, the Club really is a #CityAsOne.
For urgent mental health support in Wales, call NHS 111 and press OPTION 2
The service is available for people of all ages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in all areas of Wales to ensure those in need of support can access it quickly when they need it most.
If you need to talk to someone urgently about your mental health, or you’re concerned about a family member, call NHS 111 and select option 2 to be placed in direct contact with a mental health worker in your area.
The number is free to call from a landline or mobile, even if you have no credit left - available 24/7, 365 days a year.
