State of Mind will be presenting at the home of West Hartlepool RFC tonight
A rugby referee is organising an event in Hartlepool to promote better mental health among blokes.
WHRFC 2018
Phil Jukes is holding a night in connection with the charity State of Mind to help men, including sports players, open up about a subject they may feel is taboo.
It is being held in the clubhouse of West Hartlepool Rugby Club on Wednesday, March 21. Guest speakers are set to include ex Super League referee Ian Smith and Dr Phil Cooper, a co-founder of State of Mind.
www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/hartlepool-rugby-ref-helps-to-tackle-stigma-of-men-s-mental-health-1-9028153
Phil said: “It is a big stigma with males, they don’t like holding their hands up to talk about things like this.“It is something very close to my heart because I suffer from depression.“I played rugby and had to stop through injury. “The night is just about getting the message across to predominantly men to say it’s ok for them to hold their hands up and say ‘I’m not ok’. “I have gone out to rugby clubs, referees’ society, schools, colleges and businesses.“I want people to turn up and hopefully fill the place.”