Bristol Rovers Community Trust and Talk Club UK are thrilled to announce the details of their first mental health event on Thursday 27th January at The Memorial Stadium starting from 7pm.
The evening will consist of a screening of the award winning documentary about mental health called 'Steve' which was produced by Talk Club Co-Founder Ben Akers, when his childhood best friend, Steve Yates tragically took his own life.
The event will be attended by first-team Goalkeeper James Belshaw who was recently announced as our new 'Health Ambassador' and Bristol Rovers icon Byron Anthony, for a mental health Q&A after the screening of the documentary film.
This moving documentary explores how we can confront the male mental health epidemic and try to provide help to other men in need. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. 12 men a day. 1 every 2 hours. One of those men was Steve Yates. But Steve was more than a number. He was a father, a son, a brother, and a friend - director Ben Akers' childhood best friend.
In this emotive documentary, Ben goes on a mission to look at why this is happening and what men can do to help themselves. He begins by talking to Steve’s family, health professionals and ordinary men who are suffering – often in silence and from there he explores the solutions with people who are using their experiences to create positive change.
In this confronting and raw film, the filmmakers want to help men and their families understand that it’s ok to not be ok, and discuss the ways we can all help ourselves to be mentally fit. Ultimately, this is a film of hope, one that is trying to push us all on from Mental Health Awareness to Mental Health Action.
Ben Akers said,
"This will be the 50th live screening of “Steve” and probably the last. Before the lock down I travelled up and down the country from Aberdeen to Falmouth. From Coutts to a Cat B prison, but this could be the most important yet. After the 18 months we’ve all had, our mental health has been pushed to a new level. Our need for connection, for community, for self care, is now vital. The film is a way to help men, to help themselves. And the discussion after, with the Bristol Rovers Community Trust is a true testament to community that cares for each other.”
Bristol Rovers Community Trust CEO Adam Tutton said,
"I'm delighted to be working with Talk Club once again to host what will be another special and important evening at Bristol Rovers. I'm very proud of our partnership with Talk Club and I hope that this event will inspire and help our supporters to be aware of their own mental wellbeing as well as those around them. I'd also like to thank James Belshaw and Byron Anthony for taking the time to support the event and participate in a mental health Q&A after the screening of the documentary. Our last mental health evening at The Memorial Stadium in 2018 was a huge success and I'm looking forward to seeing lots of passionate 'Gas Heads' coming to support this event."
Entry to the event is set at a voluntary suggested donation of £5 on the night, with all proceeds going to Talk Club Bristol Rovers. To register your attendance for the event please click HERE.