England stars back video encouraging children in Sheffield to open up about mental health

But the two lengthy lockdowns continue to have an impact on youngsters who missed out for months on the vital exercise and social contact with their friends, which is a big part of the sport.

That’s why junior football coaches in and around Sheffield have put together a video – with the help of a couple of England stars – encouraging young people to talk about their mental help and not keep their feelings bottled up.

Dean Pattison, who is a coach at Bramley Sunnyside JFC in Rotherham, which is part of the Sheffield and District Junior Football League, is among those involved.

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He told how he and fellow coaches had witnessed a big difference in their young players when they returned after the latest lockdown, both in their physical condition and their mental health.

"We could see some real changes in the children. They were in a very different place to when we’d last seen them, and you started to realise how much of an impact the lockdowns had had on them,” he said.

“In one of our early training sessions, one of the lads started crying and I tried to get him to talk about it but he couldn’t open up and explain what was wrong.

"Grassroots sport is so important for so many children because it keeps them active, gives them somewhere to channel their energy and helps them stay positive, but it’s also a big social bubble which they’ve been missing for so long.

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"With everything that’s happened, a lot of people have been experiencing negative thoughts, which they often find it hard to explain or control.

"We wanted to make this video to let them know it’s OK not to be OK, it’s good to talk and there’s always someone there to listen, whether that’s your parents, your friends or your football coach.”

Dean and his fellow coaches teamed up with Stuart Turner at Sheffield-based LensGo Visual Media, which produced the film for free, and they managed to get England internationals Beth England and Millie Bright on board, as well as Doncaster Rovers’ Andy Butler.

The other clubs involved include Abbey Lane and Tinsley JFC and DSC Elite Football Academy.

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In the video, Chelsea defender Millie Bright, who was part of the 2020 FIFA FIFPro Women's World11, tells viewers: “It’s crucial that we take care of our mental health and it’s important that we look out for one another and lean on one another when we need to.”

The video also includes a message from young Max Pattinson, of Bramley Sunnyside JFC.

He said: “During lockdown I felt really frustrated and sad because it wasn’t the nicest of experiences.

"But the things that helped me through lockdown were exercise, and lots of it, and just talking to my friends.

"If you like playing football or just running, it’s your choice. Just try to get as much exercise as you can, and it’s always nice to get a catch-up with your friends to see what’s going on.”

The video has already been viewed hundreds of times and Dean said that if it helps just one child to speak out it will have been worth it.

To watch it, visit: https://youtu.be/wuA-Dfhy0js.