The Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire branding will again be on the first team players’ sleeves throughout the 2022/23 season in a bid to encourage players, supporters and the wider community to talk about suicide, positive mental health and to signpost people to the range of support available.

Depute Leader Councillor Paul Kelly, said, “Having suicidal thoughts or feeling of low mood transcends all backgrounds and ages and can happen to anyone at any time. The long-term impact of suicide on families, friends and communities can be devastating but we must do all we can to encourage people to talk openly about it.

“That’s why the message is ‘Let’s Talk’. Starting a conversation can be the first step in turning someone’s life around. People genuinely care and we can see that already with the way that supporters at this club unite when times are low or rally round when needed. This is an example of how this type of partnership working can truly impact on people who really need that support in our communities. We need to use the connection through football to really have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing in our communities and this partnership will help to do just that.”

Suzanne Reid, head of commercial & marketing at Motherwell FC, added, “All too often we hear of people dying through suicide in our communities and through this partnership we want to highlight that support is available and that it’s ok to talk about how you feel. We are a community club and it’s important that we play a role in linking with our supporters and the wider community on issues that really matter. Because believe it or not, you do matter. People really care.”