A mental health campaign on Teesside is using grassroots football to help highlight the rising rate of suicide in young men; the initiative is being promoted in Mental Health Awareness Week and is designed to use football to reach young men who are strugglingThe 'No Substitute' campaign was initially launched by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and North Riding County Football Association in FebruaryGrassroots football is being used to raise awareness of mental health issues amid an alarming rate of suicide in young men. The North Riding County Football Association has teamed up with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to create the 'There's No Substitute for Good Mental Health' campaign, which seeks to provide help for those struggling. Speaking during Mental Health Awareness Week, North Riding FA chief executive Steven Wade said: "We want this campaign to really reach out and have the desired impact of getting people talking about good mental health, and ultimately that might save a life. Asked about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, he added: "Inevitably lockdown has played a huge part and had a massive impact upon everyone's mental health, but particularly that demographic of people who the No Substitute for Good Mental Health campaign targets, young men who live on their own, who potentially are struggling for employment. 0:45 Oxford United boss Karl Robinson is a mental health ambassador for Mental Health First Aid England - and says a key aspect is looking for people who might be in the early stages of suffering and need helpA publicity drive directing people to the Every Mind Matters website has been advertised across bus shelters in the borough, on social media and by grassroots clubs.

Source: Sky sports May 11, 2021 07:52 UTC