While visiting Everton’s club in the Community charity The Duke of Cambridge spoke with the team’s player on mental health for men.
Prince William continues with his Heads Up campaign- a project which uses the influence and popularity of football to show the nation that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin told William:
“We have had some tough times over the past two or three seasons and we have helped each other. One thing that nothing can prepare you for is the opinions of thousands and thousands of people.”
Theo Walcott, Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman and Tom Davies also spoke up on how they cope with pressures on and off the pitch.
Seamus Coleman said:
“I’ve spoken to a couple of lads in Ireland and it’s not until they have finished playing they have started speaking about it.” William said: “They shouldn’t be embarrassed,” before adding, “I really appreciate what you guys are doing, it’s fantastic.”
As part of his visit, Prince William visited the Tackling the Blues project, a sport and education-based programme targeting youngsters experiencing mental health challenges, where he played a game of emoji-bingo with a group of primary school children. He was also shown an old football rattle in the club’s colours when he joined the Stand Together project, a programme which tackles social isolation amongst those aged 70+ living in Merseyside.
