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Yorkshire Cricket and the Rugby Football League have joined a regional mental health initiative.
Humber and North Yorkshire UNITED is a collective that brings together professional and grassroots sports organisations to promote mental health, suicide prevention, and self-harm awareness in Humber and North Yorkshire.
Launched in April, the initiative already includes the Tigers Trust in Hull, the York RLFC Foundation, and a growing network of sporting bodies.
Adam Lowthorpe, chief executive officer of East Riding County FA, said: "We are delighted to be collaborating with the members of the Humber and North Yorkshire UNITED collective to deliver mental health awareness and interventions to our members."
The latest phase of the programme sees the involvement of Yorkshire Cricket, the Rugby Football League (RFL), and the Football Associations of North Riding, East Riding, and Lincolnshire.
Laura Harris, the Sport Welfare Manager with North Yorkshire Sport(Image: Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership)
Their participation will help expand mental health support to participants and clubs at every level of sport, from under-6s to walking sports.
By joining the initiative, the organisations have committed to improving access to mental health training for clubs, coaches, and volunteers, as well as strengthening safeguarding standards and building stronger links with mental health services.
They will also deliver awareness campaigns and provide practical resources to help coaches and volunteers recognise signs of poor mental health.
Ryan Nicholls, urgent and emergency mental health and suicide prevention programme lead at the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: "Sport brings people together like few other things can.
York Knights players Jesse Dee and Bailey Antrobus(Image: Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership)
"By uniting professional and grassroots organisations, Humber and North Yorkshire UNITED is ensuring that every level of sport can play its part in supporting mental health, tackling suicide, and giving communities hope."
The initiative is supported by mental health charities including Movember, MIND, and the Charlie Dallas Lancaster Foundation.
Jasmine Morris, team manager at North Riding FA, said: "We’re incredibly proud to join forces with Humber and North Yorkshire UNITED alongside other sporting bodies.
Lynsey Barraclough, Head of Community Foundation at Harrogate Town FC(Image: Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership)
"Grassroots sport has a unique power to bring people together, create safe spaces, and support individuals through life’s challenges.
"By uniting around mental health, suicide prevention, and self-harm awareness, we can ensure that everyone – from young players to walking sports participants – feels supported both on and off the pitch."
Tom Padden, football development manager (disability and inclusion) at Lincolnshire FA, added: "At Lincolnshire FA we share the values of Humber and North Yorkshire UNITED and know how important projects like this are in supporting people’s mental health.
"Football is at the heart of our communities, and when we use it to bring people together, check in on each other, and start conversations, it can make a real difference in people’s lives."
