Speaking Out - Mental Health & Football

Gareth Pegg is Chairman of Brecon Northcote FC. He's also youth team manager and he still plays football. They're a grassroots club in Wales (Mid Wales Division 2) with an open door policy and a partnership with Brecon Mind - a mental health charity. Gareth discusses his own Mental Health and his relationship with football.

Rod Christopher has spent his life in football. From playing at grassroots level for years, to youth work and coaching at Leeds United and with Manchester United at the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools. Rod opens up about his childhood, race and the pressures of how he was perceived. He discusses the differences between working within football and playing it for fun, and what caused him to give it all up.

Ruth Fox, a prominent figure in Mental Health on social media, tells her story. She discusses her journey & her relationship with football and mental health. A powerful discussion that encapsulates an inspirational person, this is Ruth Fox.

Rahul Lakhera is a Sports Team Doctor with 5 years experience. He's worked in both Rugby League and Football, with the past 4 years in the latter. He gives an insight into his experience of working with academy players, and with the first team at a professional level. In Part Two, Rahul discusses the pressures of professional football, social media and outside influences.

Rahul Lakhera is a Sports Team Doctor with 5 years experience. He's worked in both Rugby League and Football, with the past 4 years in the latter. He gives an insight into his experience of working with academy players, and with the first team at a professional level. Rahul discusses academy support & alternative career options for young players who are released at a young age. He gives an insight into the reality of professional football, with intense training and long days traveling. In Part One, Rahul Lakhera opens up about the relationship between Mental Health and professional football.

In part two of our discussion with Manisha Tailor she discusses issues surrounding culture and gender. Being an Asian woman in sport, she identifies key issues in inclusion and possible solutions. Manisha Tailor is an academy coach at Queen's Park Rangers Football Club. She's also a qualified Head Teacher and an author. Manisha runs mental health and football programmes for adults and has published a teaching resource to help generate discussion around mental health with young people. This is her story.

Manisha Tailor is an academy coach at Queen's Park Rangers Football Club. She's also a qualified Head Teacher and an author. Manisha runs mental health and football programmes for adults and has published a teaching resource to help generate discussion around mental health with young people. Part One encompasses Manisha's journey to where she is today.

In the opening episode of Speaking Out - Mental Health & Football, Pete Lowe from Playersnet discusses what they do, their aims and his experience in football. An engaging discussion that opens the dialogue on Mental Health in Football.