Episode 5

full
Published on:

8th Jan 2025

90 Minutes to Tackle the Male Suicide Crisis

The tragic, recent news of young grassroots footballers Jack Badger (24) and Riley Townsend (12) who both died by suicide have brought the crisis we face in society closer to the coal face of grassroots football.

These two tragedies are not isolated. The silence around male mental health is deafening, and it’s costing lives. We believe that the football community needs more support and education around male suicide.

Football at all levels isn't just about the game; it's about community, friendships and support.

Yet, beneath the surface, many men are struggling with mental health challenges they feel they cannot voice. The alarming rise in male suicide, particularly within our football communities, demands immediate attention.

This podcast from the original webinar is a call to action.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK. In football, where resilience, strength and 'toughness' are often mistaken for silence, the crisis is deepening. We need to talk about it, not just as individuals but as individuals, teams, clubs and communities.

We need to break the silence, challenge the culture and save lives.

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About the Podcast

The Football Mental Health Alliance
Mental Health Tools for Grassroots Football
The Football Mental Health Alliance podcast is dedicated to delving into the topic of mental health in the football world. Each episode features well-known experts and ex-professional athletes who share their knowledge and personal experiences with mental health. Our guests will provide advice and insights on how to support yourself or those in your care who may be experiencing mental health conditions. 

This podcast is for you if you are a fan of professional football clubs, a member of a football community, or involved in grassroots football at any level. We believe that mental health is an important topic that deserves to be addressed and understood in all aspects of the football world.

We will cover a wide range of mental health topics in each episode. Our guests will share their experiences and provide practical advice on how to deal with these challenges while also supporting those around you.

So come along with us as we investigate the relationship between mental health and football. Listen to our podcast to gain valuable insights, helpful tips, and important information that can assist you or someone you care about in managing their mental health and thriving both on and off the pitch.

About your host

Profile picture for Danny Matharu

Danny Matharu

Actor. Model. Stable Genius. Public Figure. Social Influencer.


Not really... I'm simply someone who is interested in personal development and learning how people have become successful.


The road to success is often a lonely, narrow one, littered with mistakes, learnings, scars and disappointments.


This project is purely a selfish one. It gives me a reason to get myself in front of people who have walked the Narrow Road and learn from them. With this, I reckon that I find this type of person interesting, then other people will also.