NI Sporting Stars Support Mental Health Campaign

A number of sporting stars from Northern Ireland have backed a new video campaign to celebrate World Mental Health Day, including the former world-champion boxer Carl Frampton and captain of Ulster Rugby Rory Best.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has marked today's occasion of World Mental Health Day by highlighting some of the varied mental health initiatives it supports.

The campaign aims to promote the importance of talking about mental health, to break down the stigma that surrounds it and to encourage people to seek support from friends, family and local services.

An awareness video made by the Belfast organisation Everglow Health and Wellbeing features in the PHA's campaign, and shows high-profile actors and sportspeople emphasising the need to talk about mental health.

Other participants in the video include NI boxer Ryan Burnett, Tyrone GAA Captain Matthew Donnelly and Cliftonville Striker Joe Gormley.

Matthew Caddell, chair of Everglow Health and Wellbeing said: "The motivation of the Everglow group is to positively impact the health and wellbeing of our community, irrespective of age, gender, orientation or creed, as one in five people in Northern Ireland show signs of a possible mental health problem.

"The video is a way to promote our messages- it's ok not to be ok, and it's ok to talk about your mental health and ask for help if you feel overwhelmed."

(JG)