Men United Against Suicide

 Hi Lou I think what your doing is great for the community and surrounding areas. I hope it helps whoever is in need, more so after the recent numerous suicides in our area n myself losing a friend to suicide and no one had any idea he was suffering. Keep up the good work. Xx 

Kerry Shafto

 MUASFC has a huge impact on mental health and well-being as well as general health and fitness. It is a welcoming and wholesome community. The what's app group and support the whole squad offer is invaluable for adults who may struggle to navigate through the stresses of life. Friendships extend beyond the team and activities and events are planned together, with each other in mind. Football is the key to bringing everyone together regardless of the team they support, ethnicity, beliefs or backgrounds. This club has such a huge influence on the community and is literally changing lives. 

Daniel Hughes

 I joined MUASFC on their first game by chance. I was going down to watch and support what my friend had started and was asked if I wanted to play. I've always loved playing football and always been involved at some level or another so there was no issue on that side of things for me but what this team, club, organisation has done is open up a route for me socially. I'd lost or should I say drifted from a lot of my friends and suffering with mental health issues, talking and having friends to share with has massively helped. As men we do bottle up things, I know I do, brought up in a generation where men don't share, don't cry, don't feel, it's a tough stigma to break. This club in such a short space of time has definitely changed my mind set and there is no pressure to do things you're uncomfortable with, you can engage in as little or as often as you like whether that be to train, play, coach, talk or just make someone laugh or be an ear. I believe the more we open up the more we will grow and continue to do so helping countless more along the way. I am proud to be a part of such a beautiful thing but even more so thankful and appreciate everything it's done. #connectingpeoplesavinglives 

Ryan Hughes

 I have loved every minute of joining the football team I loved meeting all new lads I know a few already everyone always welcomed new members to the club.I don't suffer with mental health but around a lot of people who do and everywhere I go people are always asking me about this team and how can they join just shows how far this has come and reaching out to many people who needs this in there life and good laughs and chat after football game makes a massive difference.All the lads behind the scenes who make this happen appreciate every one of yourse I think it's been a massive part to helping a lot of people boost there confidence and get them out of the comfort zone. 

Craig Vickers

 Before I saw the post Lou put on Facebook with the idea of forming the team I found myself stuck back in a viscous rut of being in familiar territory of feeling like it wasn’t okay not to be okay, that me opening up about how I was feeling to those around me was more of a burden to them than it was help to me. Finding it hard to get up and do things and start good habits but instead carrying on with bad ones, MUASFC became a big outlet as I’ve always loved playing football and also seeing the difference we have made already to our community gives you a feeling of pride and self respect, since attending the first session on that cold November evening im back walking with my head held high, the true fact is even when I was low I turned to them as not just a bunch of lads I play football with but as a family so I have personally felt the difference the team makes, there is always someone on the other end of the phone for you to help, whether that help is just a chat or a point in the right direction, I’m eternally grateful to be a part of it. 

Mikey Byrne

 I have found the club a breath of fresh air. In a world of toxic masculinity and increasing pressure, on men, to be better and do better, this group of lads are prepared to stand up and talk and do something they all love, play football. It’s much more than a football team, it’s a family who can share their issues and have obviously helped everyone who gets involved. Although not a regular member of the squad, I can say that I’ve felt truly welcomed and have been thankful to everyone for that. 

Kyle Pearson

 I'm Karlo, I'm 38 and I play centre midfield for MUASFC. The impact of being a member of MUASFC on myself and my mental health has been truly monumental. I have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and have a history of suicide attempts and self harm which have led to numerous mental health hospital admissions. I have always struggled to deal with my diagnosis and the symptoms involved. I never really felt I could speak openly about it and always found it difficult to channel my emotions and deal with them appropriately. I found that therapy wasn't for me which left only medication. This helped to some degree, however, it also numbs my emotions further which led to self medicating with alcohol and other substances. One thing that always helped me was sport and in particular football. So when I heard about the concept of having a football based mental health group o was intrigued and excited. From the moment I turned up to the first session on a cold a winters evening my life has changed dramatically. It has helped me find myself again, a new identity and purpose in life. The lads I play with weekly and now associate with socially are like a new family to me. I feel I can talk to them about almost anything, without the fear of judgement or criticism. It's a real band of brothers. I can genuinely say Hand on Heart my mental has never been better and that's thanks to MUASFC. But it doesn't stop there!! The impact MUASFC has had on my partner has been amazing too. She now has a support group of her own via the other wifes and partners of the players which has helped her through some traumatic times in the last 12 months. Which she is eternally grateful for. And it doesn't stop there!! The impact MUASFC has had on our local community in North Manchester has been astounding! We are supporting people outside of the squad with mental and well-being referrals. We are providing community projects with vital funding to help those in our community. So in a nutshell MUASFC has helped me connect, helped save my life and will continue to do the same for many others in the future! 

Karl Roberts