Footie fest raises suicide awareness

SIX teams competed in a tournament as part of a football festival aimed at increasing awareness of suicide.

Males accounted for more than three quarters of UK suicides in 2014, statistics show, and it remains the biggest killer of men under 45.

Rotherham United Community Sports Trust organised the event \_ funded by BUPA UK \_ at the Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park, Brinsworth, last Friday.

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RUCST disability officer Trudi Race said: “It was great to see so many men come together and support this event.

“Raising awareness and encouraging people to talk about their feelings is vital in order to see a reduction in these terrifying statistics.

“Please don’t be afraid to ask someone how they are, because it literally could save a life.”

RUCST will be at Rotherham United’s home match with Cardiff City tomorrow to continue the campaign.

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Fans will be able to have photographs taken with the #itsokaytotalk frame supporting CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

The football festival was supported by Public Health Rotherham, the Samaritans, Barnsley Recovery College, The Mental Health Football Association and Camerados, a new social movement aiming to tackle loneliness and isolation.

Six teams competed in the 11-a-side tournament and Middlesbrough FC Foundation were crowned the 2016 winners.

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