Declan Rice has teamed with men’s mental health charity ‘Calm’ to tackle loneliness and encourage people to seek support.
The West Ham star, who is currently representing his country at the World Cup, is doing his damndest to help people through an excruciatingly difficult time. Last year, the campaign saw WBC heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury, go toe-to-toe with an invisible opponent.
And despite clear efforts to stay on his feet, ‘The Gypsy King’ eventually hit the canvas before ultimately rising to his feet and winning the battle. This innovative idea summarises the struggle that so many of us have with mental health. Although no one can see what you’re going through, in many cases, it’s one of the most challenging things a anyone can have to deal with.
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Declan Rice stars in mental health advertisement
In the latest ad, Rice appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he attempts to play against invisible opponents. While the crowd watch on in fury, the 23-year-old begins to struggle under the pressure before eventually falling to his knees with his head in his hands.
But when all seems lost, his teammate gives him a lift to his feet, in a moment that highlights the importance of sharing your issues with your friends. The video concludes with the message: ‘You don’t have to be alone to feel alone’, followed by a rallying cry #TackleItTogether.
Currently, the CALM helpline is receiving more calls about loneliness than anything else, with a whopping 3 million people in the UK claiming to feel this way.
Furthermore, according to YouGov, young people are the loneliest age group in the UK, with 30% of 18-24-year-olds saying they felt lonely in the past week.
Declan Rice is a mental health ambassador for CALM
Rice became an ambassador of the charity in early November, aiming to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. Away from the field, he’s asking the public to look out for one another as increasing amounts of people are turning to Calm’s helpline for support.
The midfielder said: “Everyone suffers at different times in their life, and there are so many people out there who feel like there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel – but all it takes is a conversation. It’s about having that support network and having people you can speak to. Because no matter who you are or what you’re going through, it should be easy to speak to the people you love. Just one conversation can make a positive difference.“
Declan Rice is an ambassador for The Campaign Against Living Miserably. To find out more, head to Thecalmzone.net.
If you’re struggling or worried about someone, head to thecalmzone.net for practical support and advice.
Featured Image Credit: CALM