Sports Mental Health NI -Suicide Prevention Offering Recovery Through Sport

29/10/2025

So thankful to be allowed to deliver Mental Health training to the youth teams at
Groomsport FC Youth⚽💬
A very engaging group of young lads, and once again, the session was expertly led and delivered by Andrea Kearns

‘Supporting Young Minds Through Sport’ is something we’re truly passionate about.
A huge thank you to Ian McNeill for the opportunity to bring this training to the club — it’s so worthwhile to help young lads recognise the signs and emotions around mental health. 💛

I would hope they will go home this evening with the hope and knowledge that help and support is available for them by reaching out and if needs be to contact our charity directly Sports Mental Health NI -Suicide Prevention Offering Recovery Through Sport

28/10/2025

💛 A Journey of Courage and Recovery 💛

This heartfelt testimony is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

When one brave lady first reached out to us, she shared just how tough things had become:

“I struggle to leave the house… I physically just can’t. I go outside and I freak out and go into a major panic attack. I really want to take the offer because it’ll help, but I just freeze and can’t move.”

With kindness, understanding, and support from our team, she took that courageous first step — reaching out and speaking with one of our professional counsellors.

“I was so nervous talking to her before she phoned, but she is lovely and I’m glad I took the step of asking for help. Thank you.”

And now, after some time and continued support, she’s in such a brighter place:

“It really, really helped me and got me to such a better place! I feel like a completely different person now!”

“Thank you so much for doing this for me and for helping me out so much!”

We are so proud of how far this incredible lady has come 💪 — from feeling unable to leave the house to finding hope, confidence, and strength again.

If you’re struggling, please remember: you are never alone. Reaching out can feel scary, but it’s one of the bravest things you’ll ever do. 💛

26/10/2025

🕰️🍂 💛
We know sport is a year-round activity, but during the Autumn and Winter months, poor
Mental Health can become more common.

As the nights draw in, please remember: teamwork isn’t just for the pitch. 💬
Check in with your mates, keep encouraging participation, and just as the seasons change, look out for any changes in someone around you. 🌦️

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out — talk to a teammate, a friend, or contact our team directly here at Sports Mental Health NI -Suicide Prevention Offering Recovery Through Sport

Together, we’ve got this. 💛

20/10/2025

Great programme being run by the PSNI and via the use of sport are promoting inclusion diversity and respect.
Well done to all involved and in particular the young adults for agreeing to participate.

19/10/2025

Folks - if you have time please have a listen to this fascinating podcast hosted by Johnny McMurray. On The Spot Football Podcast
You can find this podcast on all the usual Podcast Channels
The guest on the show is ex Professional footballer Joe McDonnell.
Joe bravely shares his battles with alcohol dependency and how it impacted his decision making in life to the point he nearly lost everything he cared for.

There are some funny light hearted stories discussed but on a serious note, Joes story epitomises why our charity are so keen to work with sports clubs
Joe talks of how he was playing sport, football for the wrong reasons. To finance his alcohol addiction.
He explains how counselling has worked wonders to help him on his journey of recovery.

We at SPORTS can offer sports clubs access to FREE counselling service, simply by demonstrating and promoting positive mental health practices within your club.

Well done Joe for agreeing to share his story and also to Johnny as it’s stories like these of real life experiences that can help and support others to reach out and seek help.
If anyone would like to know more as to what our charity can offer sports clubs please get in touch. Thank you

🎙 Now LIVE – Joe McDonnell on the On The Spot Football Podcast

From chasing the dream in England to the emotional crash of coming home, Joe McDonnell shares his powerful, honest, and emotional story.

🎧 Why didn’t he “make it”?
💬 “I wasn’t good enough — and I’m not ashamed to say it.”
🧠 The mental health struggles no one talks about
⚽ The pressure of being a young footballer
🏡 The return home, identity loss & finding purpose again

This one is raw, real, and unmissable.

📲 Available now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music

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10/10/2025

🌿 Mental Health Awareness Day 🌿

Today, on Mental Health Awareness Day, we want to take a moment to thank Murph, Scotty, Gareth, for completing the incredible Goggins Challenge and for their amazing fundraising efforts in support of our charity. To all the runners who supported them during the runs but a massive thank you to Aaron Agnew for his videographer skills and for hosting our first Podcast.

A special congratulations to Murph, who has raised a fantastic £2,000 — an incredible achievement that will make a real difference.

We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of the British Legion in Millisle and the Bangor FC Dart Team for their generous donations and continued support.

All proceeds will go directly towards providing sports clubs with FREE Mental Health Counselling Services, helping us continue our mission to support wellbeing in our communities.

💛Thank you all for showing what teamwork, resilience, and compassion can achieve.💛
Richard Murphy T.j. Young

10/10/2025

🌍 World Mental Health Awareness Day — 10th October 2025

This year marks 7 years since we began our journey with Sports Mental Health NI in 2018.

For seven years, we’ve proudly supported clubs by offering:
✅ Free mental health training
✅ Access to counselling services
✅ Resources to promote positive mental health practices

If your sports club would like to learn how our charity can support you—or if you’ve worked with us before but now have a new committee—this is the perfect time to reconnect.

👉 Together, we can help build healthier, stronger clubs and communities.
📩 Get in touch today to learn more.

04/10/2025

We are absolutely delighted to announce that, following discussions with Abbey Villa FC Youth, we will be forming an official Mental Health Partnership.

Abbey Villa FC is a club that continually strives to improve both on and off the pitch, and this partnership will enable us to work closely with them to ensure the safeguarding and well-being of all their members.

We look forward to working together to promote positive mental health and well-being throughout the club — supporting players, coaches, and families alike.

Together, we can make a real difference.
⚽️ 💙💜⚽

At the 70th Anniversary Dinner we welcomed TJ Young from SPORTS Mental Health. A partnership has been formed with Abbey Villa Youth to help provide support and guidance to our young players. TJ was rightly recognised with an award from Ards and North Down Borough Council this year for his excellent work.

[Pictured: TJ Young and David Moore]

27/09/2025

Another chance 🎥
On a wet Saturday afternoon you may just want to take the time to watch this podcast. Grab yourself a cuppa ☕️ and listen to 4 lads discuss about the sweat and guts that went into taking on the Goggins Challenge 4 Miles every 4 Hours for 48 Hours
4x4x48hrs Goggins Challenge

But there is always a why? Why did they choose this challenge, why did they choose our charity to fundraise for and I can assure you all the lads have given honest and heartfelt reasons as to why they done this.

Honestly, please take the time to watch this and I’m sure you will appreciate it even more as to why they not only took on the challenge but they completed.

We would really appreciate your feedback after watching the podcast. And if you feel it deserves your donation please do so in the link on comments. Thank you.

Hosted by Aaron Agnew, this special episode brings together three runners who took on the legendary 4x4x48 challenge, running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 ho...

21/09/2025

SPORTS Mental Health NI Launches First Podcast 🎙️

We’re excited to announce our first-ever podcast, hosted by Aaron Agnew.

In this episode, guests Richard Murphy, Scott Wilson, and Gareth Bishop explore the physical and mental challenges of completing the Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge — running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours.

Hear personal insights from Murph and Scotty Wilson into endurance, resilience, and mental strength from those who experienced it firsthand.

The guys also share their personal motivations for taking on this challenge, including an inspiring story from Gareth, who overcame serious injuries from a car crash, survived a coma, relearned how to walk, and went on to run the Belfast Marathon.

Please Take a moment out of your day to listen to their moving stories.

If you would still like to donate to their fundraiser please click on the link below 👇

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sportsmhni?utm_term=xE3xmxRy4&utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/NYYQWcCsg90.

Hosted by Aaron Agnew, this special episode brings together three runners who took on the legendary 4x4x48 challenge, running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 ho...