Welcome to the first episode of the Cardiff University's Men's Football Podcast!
As a part of Cardiff University Students’ Union’s Wellbeing campaign, the Cardiff University Men’s Football club are hosting a podcast where they’ll be talking about mental health and wellbeing. Today’s podcast hosts are Ben, Alex, Luke, Matt, Jack, Ollie, Elliot and Jared. This podcast will encourage people to start conversations regarding mental health, and has a particular focus on men’s mental health and football.
In this episode, the club will discuss a huge variety of topics starting with lockdown, how they feel about it, the impact it has had on them personally and how it’s impacted their feelings towards football. From the loss football to the loss of routine and structure and to the pain of looking back on Snapchat memories from normal times. The boys will also discuss the importance of sport and exercise in general and how this positively impacts their mental health.
The club also look into toxic masculinity in football, how easy it seems to lie on player profiles to fit in and pretend to be someone you’re not. The club will also delve into club norms and values and the feeling of having to conform to fit in or fear exclusion, in addition to exploring the “big, tough men” persona of football players. As a club, they ask how they can ensure new members feel comfortable enough to be themselves and not fall victim to toxic masculinity within football, in exploring what they can do, the boys explain the importance of being a team, knowing and understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how this not only benefits mental health but benefits you as a team.
You can also hear more about the club’s charity work prior to lockdown in a bid to help mental health services, and other causes, such as Movember. You can hear more about the causes the club have taken part in and what it means to them as a club and as individuals. In addition, the club also look at the ways men can support one another in the outside world the same way as they are supported within the club, encouraging one another, as difficult as it may seem, to sit down on a Zoom call and talk about their feelings.
For further help and support:
The University have created specific wellbeing area on their website, these pages are filled with new activities to help you build your community and stay in touch, as well as signposting resources in case you need a helping hand.
If you are in need of further advice and support please reach out to Student Advice at Advice@Cardiff.ac.uk. You can also contact Student Support and Wellbeing at StudentConnect@Cardiff.ac.uk.
Finally, if you are concerned about a student at University please contact ConcernedAboutAStudent@Cardiff.ac.uk
