Hibs boss is backing new project aiming to get men talking about their problems

Neil Lennon has backed a project using football to bring men aged 30 to 64 together to take action on their mental health.

The Hibernian head coach, who has previously spoken about this own mental health struggles, kicked-off the Changing Room programme at Easter Road today (5 April).

A two-year pilot by the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), the Scottish Professional Football League Trust and Hibernian FC, it is the first mental health project to be funded in Scotland by the global men’s health charity, Movember Foundation.

Lennon said: “I’m delighted to support The Changing Room. It’s a great opportunity to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, and I’d encourage men to get involved in this programme that could be the kick-start to something new in their lives.”

The first group of men in their middle years to take part in the programme will meet at Easter Road once a week, for 12 weeks to start positive conservations about mental health.

Jo Anderson, SAMH director of external affairs, said: “In talking to men we learned that large numbers in their middle years struggle to talk about their feelings, their mental health and how to ask for help.

“Working alongside Scottish Football Clubs, such as Hibernian and using the power of football we will bring men together in spaces that they associate with, trust, and feel they belong.”