Manchester United youth captain Rhys Bennett delivers moving mental health message

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Manchester United academy player and youth team captain Rhys Bennett is being applauded for giving an inspirational interview following the death of his father, sharing a moving and important message about mental health awareness.

Just a disclaimer, while the sit-down with Sky Sports News is deeply touching, it does touch on some triggering subjects, such as suicide.

If you missed the tragic news last year, Rhys’ dad, David, sadly took his own life back in October after battling with depression, with his 22-year-old son speaking to the media back this past December and urging people to “just reach out“.

Since then, further clips from the candid and tearjerking chat haves surfaced online once again, and some are seeing them for the first time, with Bennett once again being met with praise for tackling the subject with bravery and sensitivity.

The Denton-born defender didn’t hesitate in insisting that he wouldn’t be where he is without his parents and David, in particular, but said that opening up and talking to people, as well as getting back into regular routines like eating and sleeping right helped him recover through the grieving process.

He went on to add that he believes “people don’t realise just how appreciated they are” and that the simple act of asking if someone is ok or how they are doing can make a huge difference.

Dubbing it a “permanent solution to a temporary problem”, he also urged those to remember to check in people they love regularly, i.e. not just wait for when they think something might be wrong.

Like anything, being pro-active and preventitive measures are just important in the ongoing mental health crisis that effects millions across the UK alone, with men, specifically, dying from suicide are a higher rate than females.

Bennett, of course, is not the only sports personality to have raised issues around wellbeing of late; not even locally, either, as Stopfordian Nathan Aspinall also called on the Professional Darts Players Association to offer better mental health service – citing “at least two of three people” who need help.

Nathan Aspinall urges PDPA to improve mental health support within the sport

The Denton-born defender has been labelled as “wise beyond his years” and it being apparent why he has been chosen to lead the likes of under 18s and U21s.

Bennett finished up last season at Fleetwood Town after spending his previous loan spell at local side Stockport County, but has since returned to the academy setup back at Carrington.

You can see his full interview with Sky Sports HERE, and to echo the same sentiment we can’t stress enough how much a problem shared is a problem halved.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you can call the NHS via 111, speak to your GP, use helplines such as the Samaritans on 116 123, as well as find other services via Manchester City Council.

You can contact other charities like Manchester Mind and Andy’s Man Club, or get in touch with Greater Manchester Talking Therapies online. As always, in case of emergencies, please dial 999 immediately.

There is so much help for you out there. For instance, if you need some want an outlet to free up some headspace whilst meeting new like-minded people and getting some fresh air, there’s plenty of groups all over Greater Manchester.

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Featured Images — Sky Sports News/MG Petch (via Wikimedia Commons

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