The UK government wants to tackle men’s mental health with football? I don’t know how to feel.

Men’s mental health comes from the way men are discriminated against in society, but they refuse to acknowledge that, so we get these insulting schemes like “football clubs” to improve mental health.

“Teaming up with the Premier League will harness the power of football to break down barriers and reach millions of men who might never walk through a GP’s door. “

How about no? How about we fix the prison systems, treat our vets better, stop telling us over and over again that the world hates us for existing, introduce safety nets to stop the disproportionate amount of men who are homeless compared to women.

But no, the problem is on us, and surely playing some footy will fix all of that…

Yet, I’m still conflicted. They mention in the initiative that they have included “workplace health pilots with EDF Energy through the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Programme to support male workers in male-dominated industries”, which is no doubt a positive step.

They also mention that they wish to target men’s health specifically in terms of physical health in the way they are disproportionately affected.

“It tackles unhealthy behaviours, loneliness and social isolation, and harmful societal norms that prevent men seeking help”

I suppose that’s a good step, but it’s never going to be good enough until we start recognising the ways in which men are discriminated against. It’s not just men refusing help, it’s not just not getting enough exercise, we need to be honest about the ways in which the blame ISNT just on the individual.

There is most definitely a lot of positives to this initiative and it’s absolutely better than nothing. But we have a long way to go.