Players and fans alike were encouraged to spend 60 seconds talking about mental health before Saturday's victory over Hull. Norwich are helping make the “ultimate difference” by playing their part in removing the stigma around the subject of mental health.
To mark World Mental Health Day on Thursday, the Canaries continued their awareness-raising efforts with another eye-catching initiative. Before Saturday’s 4-0 win against Hull City, they hosted football’s first ever Minute Unsilenced. Inspired by the traditional minute’s silence, all inside Carrow Road were encouraged to use the 60 seconds to start a conversation about mental health. Both sets of players were involved when they gathered in pre kick-off huddles.
Norwich’s commitment to mental health awareness included a powerful short film they produced titled ‘You Are Not Alone’, which went viral last year. According to The Mirror, Norwich defender Jack Stacey, 28, stated, “A massive theme of mental health is getting people talking, especially men and younger men. Football fits that demographic perfectly so to be able to promote that idea of speaking rather than being silent is really something we were proud to be a part of.”
Stacey also reflected on the progress made in addressing mental health in football, saying, “It almost starts the conversation but also, subconsciously, makes it a subject that is not taboo or has a stigma to it. I feel a lot better now being in this industry [now] knowing people that need help can get it.”
He noted the shift in perceptions since he was 18, stating, “When I was 18 I don’t remember mental health being talked about by young men or many people in public at all.”
Norwich’s 2023 World Mental Health Day video, which has been watched over 300 million times in 150 countries, has also proven to be an important conversation starter. “A lot of the lads spoke about that in the changing room,” Stacey added. “I’ve also had a lot of people that know nothing about football or Norwich, they’ve watched it, it affected them and they want to speak to me about it.”
The initiative showcases how Norwich City FC are using their platform to spread awareness and create a positive change surrounding mental health.