Kent is currently implementing a football program designed to encourage men to talk about their mental health.
Head in the Game was established in Thanet in 2021 and currently has close to 40 regular members ranging in age from 18 to 58.
Players congregate in the center circle before and after each session to share their emotions on a scale of 0 to 10, both before and after the game.
In an effort to assist those in need, similar plans are now scheduled to be implemented throughout the county.
Players talk about handling problems like depression, anxiety, and bereavement during the weekly meetings in Minster.
Every week, Kyle Ingram-Baldwin, who plays, said, "We're here, we talk, and we play football.". "We share the darkest, most profound things we can. ".
Mike Arnold, a teammate who has battled substance abuse and depression, said society is making "slow but sure" progress when it comes to men's mental health.
"That wasn't available to guys in my generation when we were in college and in our 20s at work," he said.
Some days, I felt suicidal as I reported to work, but I kept it to myself. ".
Later, a second team was founded in Maidstone with plans to eventually have a team in every town in Kent.
The weekly game is an "escape" for players, according to Charlie Rowley, who also participates in the sessions in Minster.
"In this society, mental illness is stigmatized, and people are reluctant to talk about it. We ought to remove that stigma, he said.
If you have experienced. mental health problems. Support and assistance can be found via. action line for the BBC.
