Prince William is making a BBC documentary to encourage men to talk about mental health through football
PRINCE William will be making a rare appearance in a new television documentary in the hope to raise awareness of mental health.
The Duke of Cambridge has teamed up with the BBC and the Football Association for a one off programme called A Royal Road To Wembley: Tackling Mental Health.
The documentary aims to use the game to highlight this growing problem among young men.
As well as following William’s work with mental health charities such as Heads Together, the programme will tell the stories of men across the country who are battling with their mental health.
Alison Kikham, BBC Controller Factual Comissioning said: “With suicide still the biggest killer of men under 45 it’s crucial that we normalise conversations about mental health.
“Our mental health season earlier in the year and the film, and the film A Royal Team Talk had significant impact, with many more people opening up and contacting mental health charities.
You're Not Alone: Where to seek help if you need it
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
“I’m proud that working once again with the Duke of Cambridge and the FA, we can use the power of football to continue to raise awareness of an issue that is so important to our audience.”
Earlier this month William urged footie fans to look after their mental health in a big-screen message played at Wembley before the Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City.
William told supporters: “We all need to take care of our everyday mental fitness, and provide support to one another when we face setbacks, so we can be match fit for whatever lies ahead.”
The duke added: "The FA and Heads Together have joined forces to launch Heads Up, showing the world of football that our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and that we all need to take care of our everyday mental fitness, and provide support to one another when we face setbacks, so we can be match fit for whatever lies ahead."
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William also encouraged fans to sing their anthems — Liverpool’s You’ll Never Walk Alone and City’s Blue Moon.
Both songs are about isolation and the importance of togetherness.
In other royal news, we told you how Harry and Meghan won't be joining Kate and William this weekend in Balmoral.
And we shared how The Queen is astonished and very impressed by ‘Hurricane’ Meghan Markle’s work ethic, royal author claims.