Northumberland FA Back Suicide Prevention Initiative
The Northumberland Football Association are getting behind an award-winning campaign to promote suicide prevention and intervention, which is ran inline with World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday 10th September.
‘Inside Out’ is a visual social media campaign, ran by the If U Care Share Foundation, where individuals are asked to wear an item of clothing inside out - to provoke conversation around talking about any issues people have regarding mental health.
If U Care Share Foundation was set up by the siblings of Daniel O’Hare, who took his own life in 2005 at the age of 19 and has three aims: suicide prevention, intervention and support for those affected by suicide.
Over the next week clubs, players, coaching staff and supporters are encouraged to assist the initiative ran by the North East based foundation and upload your own images to social media – using the hashtags #InsideOut and #IfUCareShare.
The campaign has received the backing of the region’s top National League clubs, alongside a whole host of Northern League and Northern Alliance clubs - who have all committed to taking part this Saturday in their respective fixtures.
Supporters will also be able to get involved by sharing photos at their club’s home games that are nearest World Suicide Prevention Day.
Co-founder and former Hartlepool United academy player Matthew Smith said: “As a family, football has played a huge part of our lives and brings back fond memories spent with Daniel.
“I have played in the Northern League for the past 6 or 7 years, football is my medicine and has been part of my grieving process.
“Over the past few years using the assistance of local non-league football writer Mark Carruthers we have received support from clubs within the North East on the match day closest to the 10th September – whether it be players wearing their shirts inside out while warming up, a team photo with kit inside out or even an individual player.
“Any support or images that could be posted to social media have the ability to start conversations, previous support has helped us achieve a social media reach of well over 1,000,000 people.”
You can share the message further by donating directly. Text IUCS11 followed by either £3, £5 or £10 to 70070.
For more information about the If U Care Share Foundation, please visit their website.