As part of Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May), Spurs fan Anaiah, 17, from Barnet, shared how the Foundation’s delivery of the Advantage Mentoring Talking Tactics programme has altered the course of his life for the better.
One in four young people aged 16-24 in England experience a common mental health condition such as anxiety or depression – equating to 7,400 people just in the London Borough of Haringey, where Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is located.
The Foundation makes a positive impact through charity partnerships, community-based programmes and strategic initiatives.
Talking Tactics is a free six-month programme of direct, one-to-one mentorship aimed at boosting confidence and developing lifelong skills. Referrals can be made by trusted adults such as parents, carers or teachers, as well as healthcare professionals supporting young people who may be waiting to access other mental health services. An NHS screening process helps identify whether a young person’s needs are suitable for the programme.
Anaiah has benefited from mentoring provided by Foundation mental health lead Jadon Anderson and explained what made Jadon’s approach so effective.
“When I started the programme, I had low confidence and didn’t like going to college. Another service like this I’d tried, I didn’t really feel a connection and I was kind of scared to talk to them," he said.
“With Jadon, we can talk about things other than what’s going wrong, like my basketball, my music… this environment feels safer to open up.
“Jadon speaks to me on my level rather than as if I’m a kid needing help. We’ve talked about how I can improve my confidence, resilience and decision-making.
“I wanted to stop going to college, but now I’m more focused and dedicated, attending two days a week, and working three to four days a week. I’ve also got a music video releasing soon.
“The mentoring’s helped me juggle all these things without feeling stressed and I’d say my mental health’s a lot better. I don’t feel low or depressed. I’m more joyful now and a lot of people see me as bubblier.”
Mentoring sessions take place across the Stadium and Percy House, the Foundation headquarters on Tottenham High Road.
Jadon said: “Being connected to Spurs really resonates with young people and being in the heart of the local community definitely helps bring some comfort.
“Working with Anaiah has been a privilege. It just shows what some consistent support, guidance and reassurance can do. Anaiah was always a smart and capable young man, but perhaps previously found himself in the wrong places at the wrong times – and I think that’s a similar story for many young people.
“It’s not about making young people take certain decisions. It’s about giving them the platform to understand their options and helping boost their confidence to move forward positively.”
Premier League Inspires
Foundation staff also provide mentoring in local schools to empower students at risk of not meeting their potential, as part of their delivery of the Premier League Inspires programme funded through the Premier League Foundation.
A group of five girls from Mulberry Academy Woodside, on White Hart Lane, recently represented the Foundation at the national Premier League Inspires Challenge, where young people were tasked with designing a social action project to support the mental wellbeing of their peers.
The Foundation group came up with a project focused on positive body image in the age of social media and were recognised as joint winners.
MindBall
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, participants in the Foundation’s Next Generation football sessions for local girls aged 12-17 were invited to a special event at the Training Centre.
It combined a regular session with a MindBall workshop run by none other than our defender Molly Bartrip.
Molly offers mindset and mental health workshops for young people in sport based on her own experience of overcoming mental challenges.
Movember Ahead of the Game
Foundation coaches continue to deliver the Movember Ahead of the Game programme, run in partnership with Rugby League Cares, across local schools.
The programme uses sport-based interactive workshops to teach an understanding of mental health and how to build mental fitness.
Participants develop resilience and their ability to overcome challenges in sport and life.