Arsenal’s dynamic duo, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, are at the forefront of the pioneering initiative ‘Create The Space’.
Leading lights of English football, Beth Mead and Ben Chilwell, have thrown their weight behind a significant drive aimed at confronting mental health challenges within the beautiful game.
The duo have opened up about their personal skirmishes with mental wellness.
Striker Beth Mead has spoken candidly about enduring some intensely challenging times following her mother’s passing due to cancer while simultaneously grappling with a debilitating knee injury that benched her.
“There’s no magic cure for grief, but knowing you’re not in it alone is a lifeline,” shared Mead.
After a grueling 11-month recovery from a cruciate ligament tear which caused her to miss the Women’s World Cup, Mead has made a comeback to the pitch. During her recuperation, Mead faced the profound loss of her mother, June, after a valiant fight with ovarian cancer.
“In the depths of injury and loss, even when I appeared upbeat, I was facing some really tough times,” Mead revealed.
“It’s been a journey of coming to terms with it all. The network of teammates, club staff, and my circle of loved ones have been my pillars, preventing me from slipping into an even darker space.”
Mead, along with Chelsea’s Chilwell, Arsenal’s Miedema—who also happens to be Mead’s significant other—Spurs’ skipper Molly Bartrip, and ex-England U21 forward Marvin Sordell, are all advocates for the Common Goal’s ‘Create The Space’ campaign.
This initiative envisions football as a powerful conduit to confront mental health challenges at the grassroots, while offering a haven for those at the top to express their struggles freely.
Miedema, at 27, recollects being dismissed when attempting to voice her mental health concerns during her stint in Germany.
“At Arsenal, I finally had the chance to seek help, battling panic attacks, yet I hesitated, conditioned to believe it wasn’t alright to talk about mental struggles.
“The highlight of my career was when I chose to prioritize my mental wellbeing, not just my physical fitness. We all need that kind of support,” Miedema stated.
Common Goal is collaborating with Football Beyond Borders in the UK and E-Motion in the US to craft what they describe as an ‘integrated, experiential, and comprehensive program’.
This initiative aims to cultivate mental health champions within clubs to bolster support both on the field and beyond.
26-year-old Chilwell, currently recuperating from a hamstring injury, his third in under a year, reflects on his own journey with mental health.
“I’ve navigated my own mental health maze and felt at a loss about where to seek help,” he admitted.
“It’s our generation’s responsibility to shift the narrative, ensuring that from the pinnacle of professional football to the grassroots, we’re safeguarding one another and are equipped with the means to support ourselves and our peers.
“It’s time for action, not just dialogue, in creating a safe space for all who wish to contribute to mental health discourse, whether they’re scoring in the Premier League or just kicking about in the local park.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about mental health initiative football
What is the ‘Create The Space’ initiative?
The ‘Create The Space’ initiative is a new campaign spearheaded by football stars such as Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell, aiming to address and support mental health issues within football. It intends to use the sport as a means to combat mental health challenges at all levels, from grassroots to elite, and create a supportive environment for those in the football community to openly discuss and manage their mental wellbeing.
Who are the football players involved in ‘Create The Space’?
The ‘Create The Space’ initiative has been launched with the support of several notable footballers including Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, Tottenham captain Molly Bartrip, and former England Under-21 striker Marvin Sordell. These players are advocating for better mental health awareness and support within the sport.
How did Beth Mead’s personal experiences influence her involvement with ‘Create The Space’?
Beth Mead has shared her personal struggles with mental health, particularly highlighting the difficult period she faced after the loss of her mother to cancer, compounded by a serious knee injury that kept her away from playing football. Her experiences have motivated her to get involved with ‘Create The Space’ to ensure that individuals facing mental health challenges do not feel alone and can access the support they need.
What has Vivianne Miedema said about mental health in football?
Vivianne Miedema has spoken about the lack of support she felt when dealing with mental health issues, especially during her time playing in Germany. Her proudest moment, she says, was deciding to prioritize her mental health and seek support, which highlights the necessity for initiatives like ‘Create The Space’. She believes that mental health is as important as physical health and that everyone needs support in managing it.
What is the broader goal of the ‘Create The Space’ initiative?
‘Create The Space’ aims to create a network of mental health advocates within football clubs to offer better support for individuals on and off the pitch. The broader goal is to change the culture around mental health in football, ensuring that players at all levels have access to the necessary tools and support systems to help themselves and others.
How can people stay updated on their favorite Premier League clubs and the ‘Create The Space’ initiative?
People can follow the latest developments with their favorite Premier League clubs and stay informed about the ‘Create The Space’ initiative by using the Sport News Center app. The app provides notifications and updates, making sure fans never miss a moment of the action or important news in football.
More about mental health initiative football
- Create The Space Campaign
- Mental Health in Football
- Beth Mead’s Comeback
- Ben Chilwell’s Injury and Mental Health
- Vivianne Miedema’s Mental Health Advocacy
- Common Goal Partnership
- Football Beyond Borders
- E-Motion Mental Health Program
- Sport News Center App
- Football Daily Podcast
5 comments
mental health talk in sports is long overdue, kudos to these players for stepping up, also where’s the link to that podcast, anyone?
it’s so important for young players to see their idols speaking up about mental health, gives them courage to do the same, nice one Beth and Ben.
Ben Chilwell, what a guy, taking his own struggles and using them to help others, that’s real strength, man.
totally agree that we need to tackle mental health just like we do physical injuries, mental health’s just as important.
Wow, Beth Mead’s really turned a tough situation into somethin positive, starting this mental health initiative is just fantastic.