Brentford encourages community to talk more about mental health with Talking is the Best Tactic

Brentford Football Club and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust are launching a campaign called Talking is the Best Tactic to encourage conversations about mental health during the upcoming season. The campaign is part of the Premier League's Together Against Suicide initiative. This Saturday, Brentford's match against Sunderland will be dedicated to the campaign.

Last season, some players shared their mental health experiences during games. The club has installed six benches in the local area to encourage community members to pause, connect, and talk. One bench will be at the Robert Rowan Performance Centre, a confidential space for players, coaches, and staff to discuss mental wellbeing.

During the Sunderland match, from 12.30pm, the bench will be outside Entrance B at Gtech Community Stadium, where fans can make a personal commitment to mental health support. Brentford is urging supporters to take small actions towards better mental health, such as having conversations or showing support. The Sunderland fixture is a special Friends and Family match, allowing fans to invite someone they haven't seen in a while.

Brentford's community programs, like Singing for Thought and Walking for Wellbeing, offer support and opportunities for people to connect. In case of urgent mental health needs, resources are available on the Talking is the Best Tactic webpage, and callers should contact emergency services or the Samaritans.