Emiliano Marcondes, the forward for Norwich City, has taken a prominent stance in advocating for mental health awareness, particularly in light of the challenges faced by the club this season. His message emphasises the importance of players feeling comfortable to "open up" during tough times, both on and off the pitch. After departing Bournemouth last summer, following a loan spell at Hibernian, Marcondes has found a new lease of life at Norwich, contributing three goals in 20 appearances since his arrival.
At a recent Mental Health Awareness event held at Carrow Road, Marcondes articulated his dedication to this vital cause, revealing that mental health advocacy has long been a personal priority for him. "It's something that has always been very close to me. I did a campaign with Brentford when I was there about mental health and it's something that touched my heart and I want to do more with," he shared, as reported by BBC Radio Norfolk.
The 29-year-old Danish international faced the reality of being a free agent for the first time in his career after his release from Bournemouth. He eventually signed a one-year contract with Norwich, which includes an option for an additional year. Reflecting on his experiences over the summer, Marcondes stated, "Something I learnt over the summer was to be very open about it, try to speak to as many people and friends about it, because it was a period for me to digest things." He added, "Also because of my career, and the next step in my life, it was very clear for me to go through it and (that) I couldn't hide, I wouldn't hide."
Marcondes acknowledged that he had previously been "maybe a bit more closed" regarding his feelings, but now feels "empowered" to discuss mental health openly. This sentiment aligns with Norwich City's ongoing mental health campaign, which gained significant attention with a video released for World Mental Health Day in autumn 2023. "I followed Norwich and have seen what Norwich have done in the past when I was at the other clubs, especially the video with the two fans that has gone viral, it's quite a special video. Now I'm here I can also feel it from the club and the community and the city, everyone is standing together to make things better," he remarked.
Addressing the pervasive issue of social media, Marcondes shared his strategies for managing online negativity. "It's everywhere. I have social media but I almost block everything out. I don't read comments, I have a filter on and also people that help me with my social media, to block the negative messages." He added, "To be fair, I don't feel that I personally am getting a lot of negative stuff. I'm not focused on it. When I was young I was a bit more aware of it and it hurt me a bit more."
Currently, Norwich City find themselves in 12th place in the Championship, six points off the play-off positions. The team has encountered difficulties in recent matches, suffering defeats in their last two outings against Sheffield United and Leeds United, notably failing to register a shot on target in either game. Matt Miller, the club's senior performance psychologist, commented on the emotional challenges players face, stating, "Football is very much about highs and lows. The challenge for us is about staying level-headed even during those highs and lows."
Miller elaborated on his dual role, which encompasses both wellbeing and performance support for players. "My role is about supporting players, both from a wellbeing standpoint, but also from a performance standpoint. It's about helping them understand what their best looks like from a behaviour standpoint, and if they can develop awareness of that, hopefully they can connect with that and demonstrate those behaviours on a consistent basis." He highlighted the department's growth from one member to four, reflecting the club's commitment to prioritising psychological support for its players.
In light of the team’s recent performance issues, Marcondes commented, "I don't really think too much about not having a shot on target in the past two games. It's about building the right attacks and that's what we're trying to do. It's been (because of) a lack of timing and quality in the final moments, and a bit more composure, that's something I've been a little frustrated about as an attacking player. It has been something that I also look into when I watch the games back, see where I can be better and improve the team."
As Norwich City navigates a challenging season, Marcondes' advocacy for mental health awareness serves as a reminder of the importance of support and communication within the sport, highlighting the need for players to prioritise their mental wellbeing amidst the pressures of professional football.