Ripon Cricket Club has joined an initiative aimed at tackling the stigma surrounding men’s mental health through sport.
The club is committed to promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention by encouraging open and honest conversations.
The initiative comes in response to concerning statistics indicating a high rate of male suicide.
The club aims to provide a safe space for men to express their feelings and seek necessary support.
Lorna Fassnidge, the club’s safeguarding officer, said: “Ripon Cricket Club values its members and volunteers and actively wants to ensure that we promote an ethos of speaking out and feeling heard.
“Sport brings people together and we have invited representatives from smaller clubs within our cricket community to join us to spread this important message.”
On Thursday, April 3, a representative from mental health organisations Opening Up Cricket and Andy’s Man Club will be at Ripon Cricket Club from 7.30pm to discuss the initiative.
Jackie Crozier, deputy mayor of Ripon and Spa ward councillor, said: “As one of the sponsors of the women’s cricket team, it is great to support this initiative.
“We support any mental health initiative that supports men and gets them to open up about their feelings.”
The initiative is part of a broader movement to encourage men to break down the ‘men don’t cry’ mentality and demonstrate their strength through vulnerability.
