Moving Norwich City mental health video hailed by UEFA

Andy TriggBBC News, Norfolk
News imageNorwich City FC Two football fans in Norwich City FC's mental health awareness videoNorwich City FC
Two football fans are used in the video to help highlight the hidden signs of some mental health conditions
  • Norwich City Football Club produced a suicide prevention video to mark World Mental Health Day
  • It features two football fans in the stands to highlight the hidden signs of mental health conditions
  • UEFA, European football's ruling body, has described the video as "incredibly powerful"
  • The video has been viewed online tens of millions of times

A suicide prevention video produced by Norwich City Football Club has been hailed as "incredibly powerful" by European ruling body UEFA.

The moving video, posted on the club’s social media channels to mark World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, uses two football fans to highlight the hidden signs of mental health conditions.

Norwich City FC said it wanted to "make a difference" in any way it could.

The video has been viewed online tens of millions of times.

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Fans from across the world, as well as global organisations, have taken to social media to thank the club for its support and awareness.

One fan posted: "As someone who has been there and recovered, this is the most impactful video I have ever seen."

While another wrote: "Cried my eyes out at this. What a beautifully made message."

According to the UK government, suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50.

Football is often used as a way of reaching fans that may be in need of additional support.

In 2019, the Football Association (FA) launched an initiative to encourage men to comfortably talk about their mental health, in the same way that they would about football.

While former footballers such as Rio Ferdinand and Darren Eadie have spoken out about their own struggles.

News imageNorwich City FC Norwich midfielder Przemyslaw PlachetaNorwich City FC
On Saturday, Norwich City FC changed its shirt sponsor to the suicide prevention charity, Samaritans.

On Saturday, Norwich City FC changed its shirt sponsor to the suicide prevention charity, Samaritans, in its 1-1 draw away to Coventry City.

The club said it hoped to continue its mental health awareness campaign in the coming days.

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