Sunderland AFC Academy participated in Children's Mental Health Week, which took place from the 5th to the 11th of February. The theme for this year was "Your Voice Matters."
The AoL hosted facilitated educational workshops for those in the U9 to U16 age groups. Coaches also incorporated the theme "Your Voice Matters" into their training sessions.
The Lads also took part in If U Care Share’s Keepy-up Challenge using their stress balls and raising awareness for the great work the mental health and suicide prevention charity do.
Academy player care lead, Evie Innes added: “Our goal at SAFC is to create an environment where the boys feel empowered to express themselves and understand that it's okay to not be okay.
“We want them to know that they can always seek help and support when needed. We have used the themed week to further educate and remind the boys about this.”
Place2Be launched the mental health awareness week in 2015 to empower, equip and give a voice to every child in the UK.
In their 10th year, they encourage more people than ever to help and reach a goal that no child or young person must face a mental health problem alone. Each year, free resources for schools, families and organisations are given so that as many people as possible can take part.