Video Posted by English Football Team Goes viral for ‘Incredibly Powerful’ Mental health Message.
A video posted by Norwich City, an English Football Club to raise awareness on World Mental Health
Day has been recirculating on social media recently, racking up millions of views on different platforms.
The 2 minute 27 second video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, was accompanied with a
message that reads, “At times, it can be obvious when someone is struggling to cope, but
sometimes the signs are harder to spot,” reminding fans to check in on those around them.
Norwich City FC also shared information for Samaritans, a 24-hour helpline created to
provide confidential emotional support for people in the U.K. or Ireland who are
experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
The video has amassed over 62.4 million views on X and TikTok combined since it
was initially posted on Monday, Oct. 9, one day before World Mental Health Day.
The Union of European Football Associations, the governing body of soccer in
Europe, was praised for its “incredibly powerful” message, BBC previously reported.
The video depicts two Norwich City FC fans attending multiple games together decked out in green and yellow jerseys and accessories. Both bear witness to the highs and lows of the season, but only one of the men’s emotions are outwardly visible.
One of the men eventually shows up unattended to one of the football games by the
end of the video, laying his friend’s personal belongings on the empty chair beside him.
The video concludes with the #YouAreNotAlone.
Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50 in the U.K. in
2021, according to the Government of the United Kingdom.
Football has previously been used as a way to encourage fans, particularly men to
seek out mental health services if they are in need of additional support.
Testimonials from former footballers, mental health initiatives and videos like
Norwich City FC have promoted an organic way of integrating conversations about mental health, according to the BBC.
“Oh my God. This absolutely stopped me in my tracks and shed a tear after it, not
just down to the fact that it hit close to home, but that it came from nowhere and
sadly that’s what can happen. Thank you so so much for highlighting this and bringing
it to a wider audience,” a user wrote on X, echoing similar sentiments from fans and non-fans alike.
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