Update from the Mental Health Ambassador for DAFC

Club Mental Health Ambassador Eddie Martin provides some thoughts during these testing times

"These are unprecedented, uncertain and stressful times with Covid-19. I hope you and your families are safe and well.

At times like these everyone will be feeling anxious which is perfectly normal. Anxiety is normal but unpleasant it is a response in body and mind to keep us safe from a perceived threat. Some strategies to help us with this would be to take exercise if you can manage it and remember if you are going to walk down the Halbeath road to keep your 2 meter distance. Reducing or avoiding caffeine and alcohol will help too.

I have joined the NHS Fife suicide prevention communication group. This group is set up to help reduce the numbers of suicides across Fife and DAFC are taking role in this. Plans were made for an event to take place in September to coincide with suicide prevention week, the NHS have understandably put this on hold just now but we are ready to begin again when the time is right.

As a football club we had hoped to do our own walk and talk event before the end of the season, which means before a home game we meet together as a group and walk to the game from a venue in the town, talking about mental health. This was going to be supported by the Dunfermline Samaritans branch.

We are pleased to say that the mental health awareness sessions were very successful and 8 volunteers came forward from our fanbase and local community to be trained as Scottish Mental Health First Aiders, a first for a Scottish football club if not in Britain. The aim is to do this again and it is something that I am looking forward to doing.

The under 20s/ reserves have taken part in a mental health awareness session. This was well received by the players and Coach Greg Shields, some great questions were asked, comments and interactions. The management team are keen to for this to be rolled out to the first team.

There is a great support network our there to help anyone who feels the need to reach out and seek help."

www.Samaritans.org
Call 116 123

www.breathingspace.scot
Call 0800 83 85 87

www.drinkaware.co.uk
Call 020 77 66 99 00

www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Call 0330 094 0322

I hope everyone takes care and stays safe

Eddie Martin