Derby County is working in partnership with Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust to provide a drop-in day this Friday, March 7, at Pride Park Stadium.

Anyone can come along for advice, guidance, information and support on emotional and mental health issues. There will also be the guys available from the Derby County Football in the Community team to chat to about football.

Most people think mental ill health happens to other people. This is a wrong assumption: mental ill health is more common than asthma, with one in four people facing issues in their lifetime.

This can affect individuals and their families in significant ways.

Many people still experience a stigma around mental health. Words like "nuts", "mad", "barking", "bonkers" and "psycho" all serve to place a negative view on mental ill health. No wonder people find it difficult to talk about it and don't come forward for help at the earliest opportunity, preferring to ignore issues because they feel they will be ridiculed. Delay can however cause the problem to become more serious, requiring specialist care.

Men are the worst at seeking help, often suffering alone and in silence, not wanting to admit that they have an emotional problem. Last Sunday, for example, was National Eating Disorders Day. It might be assumed that eating disorders are the preserve of teenage girls, but in fact 20% of those affected are male.

For further information contact Shirley Houston on 01332 362221 ext 3302 and if you want more information on any mental health issues you can become a member of the Trust free on 080034507351. The main point is to get advice early so you can enjoy your life - and your football - to the full.

Matt Hancock (centre) with John Vicars (left) and Mike Shewan

On Saturday, at half-time during the Rams' game against Sunderland, two presentations were made to recognise the partnership between Derby County in the Community and the Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust.

Mike Sherwan, chief executive of the trust, handed over a trophy to John Vicars, vice-president of operations at DCFC, in recognition of the Rams' support.

And Matt Hancock, a volunteer with Derby County in the Community's mental health team, was presented with an achievement award to recognise his efforts in supporting a group that the CMHT runs to enable people with mental health problems to play football.

The group meets and plays five-a-side once weekly, with occasional participation in tournaments or matches against other similar teams from other areas.

Matt has helped to organise the weekly sessions and provided enormous individual and group support to help young men who are often nervous, frightened and isolated to join in and enjoy what is a sporting and social event.

The benefits described by the men who attend are huge; they identify that they have the opportunity to meet other people with similar problems and to take part in activities which help with physical and mental health.

Friendships are formed and informal support/caring relationships have become established.

Matt has been instrumental in helping such an atmosphere to develop, from collecting people from their homes, washing kit, introducing new members, through to the more skillful and difficult tasks of encouraging independent attendance and helping our participants to take responsibility for themselves.

Matt has always been an excellent role model within the group as well, playing the game with a sense of humour, inclusiveness and sensitivity to people's ability or lack of ability.

THE RAMS V FULHAM, MARCH 29

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