Palace for Life teams up with Movember Ahead of the Game
November means one thing, the return of the moustache for Movember in support of men’s mental health. We’re proud to play our part by delivering Ahead of the Game, our youth mental health programme run in partnership with Movember.
Earlier this year, Movember announced a £4.2 million investment in sport to improve mental health across the UK. As part of this, more than 50 organisations have joined forces to deliver workshops and training in their communities and we’re proud to be one of them.
Movember describe Ahead of The Game as an expert-backed youth mental health programme that teaches players, parents, coaches and volunteers to understand mental health and build mental fitness. When faced with challenges in sport and life, young players will know who they can talk to right away, and that their community has their back.
Ahead of the Game started as a research project in Australia and is already showing its efficacy. Results so far have shown that the programme produces:
• Increased understanding of the importance of mental health.
• Greater confidence in recognising the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in themselves and others.
• Greater confidence in seeking help for mental health.
Through Ahead of the Game, we’re running interactive workshops in schools and community settings across South London, helping young people aged 12–18 learn how to look after their mental wellbeing and support one another.
The programme adds to our growing roster of mentoring and personal development work at Palace for Life, which offers support for those with challenging or complex life experiences who may be vulnerable to exploitation and criminality, experience social isolation and exclusion, or have mental health needs.
Ahead of the Game comes at a crucial time, with NHS England reporting that one in five young people aged 8–25 have a probable mental health condition.
And the impact is already being felt. One participant told us:
“Mental health is something that men my age often struggles to talk about. This morning, I got a call from my best friend telling me how he tried to take his own life last year and is currently in a bad place. I had absolutely no idea. I’m on my way to meet him now, and it’s made me realise just how relevant your talk was.”
To help us support more young South Londoners with their mental health, you can donate here.