Sports Mental Health NI -Suicide Prevention Offering Recovery Through Sport

14/11/2025

This morning we’re attending the official launch of the Ards and North Down Sports Awards.

Last year, our Trustee TJ Young received a Special Recognition Award for his outstanding daily dedication to our charity — a well-deserved honour!

If you’re part of a sports club and know someone who deserves recognition for their efforts, volunteering, or achievements, we encourage you to get in touch with Ards and North Down Borough Council to submit a nomination.

Let’s celebrate the amazing people who make sport in our community such a success! 🏆💙 Ards and North Down Borough Council fans

13/11/2025

Some startling statistics being reported here. Seriously wake up and smell the coffee. How long are services going to go underfunded.

12/11/2025

Fantastic opportunity for those living in and around the Lurgan Area.
FREE ASIST Training. Get in touch ASAP as places are limited.



***dePrevention

Free ASIST Training with Action Mental Health – Southern Trust area only

Learn life-saving skills to help prevent su***de.

📅 2–3 Dec 2025 | 🕘 9:30–4:30 | 📍 Lurgan
✅ Fully funded, limited places!

Further info & booking https://cypsp.hscni.net/applied-su***de-intervention-skills-training-asist-southern-trust-area/

***dePrevention

09/11/2025

Remembrance is more than reflection — it’s action.
We honour those who gave their lives and support those who still struggle with the invisible wounds of service.
At SPORTS Mental Health NI we stand for Remembrance, Resilience, and Recovery.
Together, we Remember.
Together, we Heal.
LEST WE FORGET.

01/11/2025

Happy Halloween from us all at SPORTS Mental Health NI 🎃 👻 🎆

29/10/2025

So thankful to be allowed to deliver Mental Health training to the youth teams at
Groomsport FC Youth⚽💬
A very engaging group of young lads, and once again, the session was expertly led and delivered by Andrea Kearns

‘Supporting Young Minds Through Sport’ is something we’re truly passionate about.
A huge thank you to Ian McNeill for the opportunity to bring this training to the club — it’s so worthwhile to help young lads recognise the signs and emotions around mental health. 💛

I would hope they will go home this evening with the hope and knowledge that help and support is available for them by reaching out and if needs be to contact our charity directly Sports Mental Health NI -Su***de Prevention Offering Recovery Through Sport

28/10/2025

💛 A Journey of Courage and Recovery 💛

This heartfelt testimony is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

When one brave lady first reached out to us, she shared just how tough things had become:

“I struggle to leave the house… I physically just can’t. I go outside and I freak out and go into a major panic attack. I really want to take the offer because it’ll help, but I just freeze and can’t move.”

With kindness, understanding, and support from our team, she took that courageous first step — reaching out and speaking with one of our professional counsellors.

“I was so nervous talking to her before she phoned, but she is lovely and I’m glad I took the step of asking for help. Thank you.”

And now, after some time and continued support, she’s in such a brighter place:

“It really, really helped me and got me to such a better place! I feel like a completely different person now!”

“Thank you so much for doing this for me and for helping me out so much!”

We are so proud of how far this incredible lady has come 💪 — from feeling unable to leave the house to finding hope, confidence, and strength again.

If you’re struggling, please remember: you are never alone. Reaching out can feel scary, but it’s one of the bravest things you’ll ever do. 💛

26/10/2025

🕰️🍂 💛
We know sport is a year-round activity, but during the Autumn and Winter months, poor
Mental Health can become more common.

As the nights draw in, please remember: teamwork isn’t just for the pitch. 💬
Check in with your mates, keep encouraging participation, and just as the seasons change, look out for any changes in someone around you. 🌦️

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out — talk to a teammate, a friend, or contact our team directly here at Sports Mental Health NI -Su***de Prevention Offering Recovery Through Sport

Together, we’ve got this. 💛

20/10/2025

Great programme being run by the PSNI and via the use of sport are promoting inclusion diversity and respect.
Well done to all involved and in particular the young adults for agreeing to participate.

19/10/2025

Folks - if you have time please have a listen to this fascinating podcast hosted by Johnny McMurray. On The Spot Football Podcast
You can find this podcast on all the usual Podcast Channels
The guest on the show is ex Professional footballer Joe McDonnell.
Joe bravely shares his battles with alcohol dependency and how it impacted his decision making in life to the point he nearly lost everything he cared for.

There are some funny light hearted stories discussed but on a serious note, Joes story epitomises why our charity are so keen to work with sports clubs
Joe talks of how he was playing sport, football for the wrong reasons. To finance his alcohol addiction.
He explains how counselling has worked wonders to help him on his journey of recovery.

We at SPORTS can offer sports clubs access to FREE counselling service, simply by demonstrating and promoting positive mental health practices within your club.

Well done Joe for agreeing to share his story and also to Johnny as it’s stories like these of real life experiences that can help and support others to reach out and seek help.
If anyone would like to know more as to what our charity can offer sports clubs please get in touch. Thank you

🎙 Now LIVE – Joe McDonnell on the On The Spot Football Podcast

From chasing the dream in England to the emotional crash of coming home, Joe McDonnell shares his powerful, honest, and emotional story.

🎧 Why didn’t he “make it”?
💬 “I wasn’t good enough — and I’m not ashamed to say it.”
🧠 The mental health struggles no one talks about
⚽ The pressure of being a young footballer
🏡 The return home, identity loss & finding purpose again

This one is raw, real, and unmissable.

📲 Available now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10/10/2025

🌿 Mental Health Awareness Day 🌿

Today, on Mental Health Awareness Day, we want to take a moment to thank Murph, Scotty, Gareth, for completing the incredible Goggins Challenge and for their amazing fundraising efforts in support of our charity. To all the runners who supported them during the runs but a massive thank you to Aaron Agnew for his videographer skills and for hosting our first Podcast.

A special congratulations to Murph, who has raised a fantastic £2,000 — an incredible achievement that will make a real difference.

We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of the British Legion in Millisle and the Bangor FC Dart Team for their generous donations and continued support.

All proceeds will go directly towards providing sports clubs with FREE Mental Health Counselling Services, helping us continue our mission to support wellbeing in our communities.

💛Thank you all for showing what teamwork, resilience, and compassion can achieve.💛
Richard Murphy T.j. Young