By Adu Gyamfi | Project Leader
A football match, created to highlight the importance of talking about our mental health, was recently played out at Ayeduase football site. MEMHREP along with the Community football club and other football teams in the area of Kumasi ,launched the Play to Talk silent match to show the power of communication, and how football can be a vital tool in breaking down barriers to tough conversations about mental health. Adu Gyamfi Founder and CEO at MEMHREP, stressed the need to treat psychological struggles the same way as physical ones. "If you were struggling with your knee or hamstring, would you let your teammates know about it? It is just as important to talk to your teammates about your mental health as much as your physical health.” More than 55 players took part in the game, with the first match being played out in silence. In the other matches participants could speak to their teammates again. Also present was Regional Football Association Chairman, Mr.Kotoro who has spoken openly about his own mental health and the difficult periods he’s endured. "Having taken part today, I know the Play To Talk event was really powerful.” He said." “Playing football in silence is hard, it’s frustrating and it feels lonely. I think this experience mirrored what it can feel like in day-to-day life when we bottle up our feelings and worries. Talking to somebody helps.” There are about 1000 deaths by suicide every year in Ghana of those are male, and female and suicide remains the single biggest killer.Which is very depression because is very difficult for mental health patients to explain what is happening in their life. Football for so many is a safe-haven and a place where vital relationships can be formed. Play To Talk aims to encourage a culture in which people feel they can openly ask for help, whether it be their teammate or someone beyond the football pitch. Adu Gyamfi, CEO after the event explained: “We’ve seen first-hand how much people have missed playing. We talk to the players and hear how issues such as loneliness and isolation have been helped by the return of outdoor sports. MEMHREP is committed to supporting everyone and staff in maintaining their mental health as much as their physical health.
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