Bradford district sports stars back mental health campaign

Bradford City AFC, Bradford Bulls, Keighley Cougars and Leeds Rhinos are among the high-profile clubs supporting the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership's (WYHCP) Check In With Your Mate suicide prevention campaign. 

West Yorkshire's suicide rate is higher than the national average, with a three-year rate of 12.5 registered suicide deaths per 100,000 people in 2020 to 2022, compared to a rate of 10.3 for England. Men continue to account for around three quarters of suicide deaths.

The Check In With Your Mate initiative is also being backed by Bradford Bulls (Image: Submitted)

Those behind Check In With Your Mate said the campaign is particularly important at this time of year as money problems, family worries, grief and loneliness are among issues which may feel intensified over the festive period.

The sports clubs have been reaching out to fans and followers on their social media accounts to spread the campaign's messages, with support from the public health teams at Bradford Council and Leeds City Council.

Bradford City AFC wants to raise awareness of mental health (Image: Submitted)

As well as sharing on social media channels, Keighley Cougars will also be promoting the campaign at their Boxing Day match against Oldham, when players will warm up in Check In With Your Mate-branded t-shirts and campaign flyers will be distributed to fans at the turnstiles.

'Please have those important conversations'

Kaue Garcia, Keighley Cougars' managing director, said: "We're always keen to support this vital campaign and are pleased to be able to help increase awareness over the festive period.

Leeds Rhinos endorse the initiative too (Image: Submitted)

"We're expecting some 2,000 fans to our Boxing Day match so will be sharing the messages as much as we can.

"We would urge everyone to check in with their mates, particularly at this time of year.

"It's so important to take the time to reach out to those around you and show them it's OK to talk."

Rob Webster, chief executive for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and chief executive lead for WYHCP, said: "You don't need to have all the answers and by simply being there and listening, you are creating a space where people know it's OK to talk.

"Please have those conversations and help spread the word with our campaign resources, which signpost to the most up-to-date support for those in need across West Yorkshire."

For more information about the campaign and to find the resources Mr Webster referred to, visit www.checkinwithyourmate.co.uk