Bengaluru FC launches mental health care programme for team

Bengaluru FC has announced the launch of 'Care Around the Corner', the ISL club's programme to raise awareness on mental health. The programme entails bringing on board a professional mental health expert who will conduct regular sessions with the first team and staff, along with sessions for the academy teams.

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC on Saturday has announced the launch of ‘Care Around the Corner’ , the Indian Super League club’s programme to raise awareness on mental health.

The programme will provide the players and staff with on-call professional help throughout the season. The launch coincided with the World Mental Health Day.

The programme involves bringing on board a professional mental health expert who will conduct regular sessions with the first team and staff, along with sessions for the academy teams.

The players and staff will always also have access to the mental health expert for one-on-one consultation by way of video sessions.

 Bengaluru FC CEOP, Mandar Tamhane said “Mental health is such an important conversation, but it’s also one that we don’t have as much as we should in Indian sport. We felt a definite need to add this aspect to the team for this season, and every season going forward,”

“Care Around the Corner is a very important step we are taking to ensure that our players and staff fully understand the importance of mental wellness as well as have access to professional help whenever they feel the need arises. Also, the circumstances surrounding the season will begin to get harder with every passing day, and we feel the programme can play a big role now, more than ever” Mandar added.

India and Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who has been vocal about the importance of mental wellness and seeking professional help in the past, has said that the programme will benefit the team as it will provide a non-judgemental space for players to open up.