Ipswich Town footballer supports Suffolk Mind mental health campaign

An Ipswich Town footballer is involved in promoting RED January, a mental health campaign encouraging people to get active every day, to beat the blues away.

Suffolk Mind is partnering with RED January, a national initiative, promoting the positive power exercise can have on our minds and wellbeing, during a characteristically tough month. It’s founded on research that shows physical activity can reduce symptoms of mental illness such as depression and anxiety. In the post RED January 2018 survey, 87% of people who took part reported feeling significantly better physically and mentally, after getting active every day.

An event was held at Portman Road for people signed up to RED January. Dan Palfrey, Marketing & Public Relations Officer at Ipswich Town Football Club said: “We’re delighted to support RED January with Suffolk Mind as part of our broader partnership with the charity this season.

“Physical activity is hugely important for both physical and mental wellbeing, and we see that all the time at Ipswich Town FC. We really want to encourage all football supporters, family and friends to sign up to do a little exercise every day to help their mental health during what can sometimes be a challenging month.”

In Suffolk, and across the UK, figures show one in four people will experience a mental health challenge each year. In England, one in six people report experiencing a common mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression, in any given week.

Jodie Goolding has Borderline Personality Disorder and is taking part in RED January to help her own mental health, “I have suffered with both chronic illness and mental illness since my early teens. I haven’t always had the best relationship with exercise over the years – I would either engage in it too much or not do anything at all.

“So I’m doing RED January to give me motivation to maintain a healthy relationship with exercise and to keep moving even during those times where I feel like I can’t leave the house for days.

“During January I will vlog through the ups and downs of suffering with Borderline Personality Disorder, Endometriosis & Polycystic Kidney Disease in order to share my journey and awareness of these illnesses.”