Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs to support Mind by competing in 'The Mind Series' this August
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur football clubs will come together to support better mental health by taking part in The Mind Series this summer in aid of Mind.
The Premier League trio will take on each other in a first-of-its-kind series of pre-season friendlies in August, as a curtain-raiser to the 2021-22 season.
Funds raised from the series will be split between Mind and the respective club Foundations, that each deliver projects to support mental health and wellbeing in communities.
Mind and the clubs, using their huge global reach and platforms, will promote mental health awareness as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Demand for Mind’s services, including its Infoline, has increased exponentially during the pandemic, with latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics showing one in five adults experiencing symptoms of depression, compared to one in 10 prior to the pandemic. Mind’s own survey of 16,000 people during the initial lockdown also found that two in three young people (68 percent) and three in five adults (60 percent) said their mental health got worse.
The schedule of friendly matches played will be as follows:
• Arsenal v Chelsea: Sunday 1st August, Emirates Stadium, 15:00 KO
• Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur: Wednesday 4th August, Stamford Bridge, 19:45 KO
• Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal: Sunday 8th August, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 14:00 KO
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“We’re delighted that Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have come together to back Mind’s work through the Mind Series. We know from our work in the sector, including our charity partnership with the EFL, that football has the power to create real change, not least around mental health. The platform that these three huge clubs can provide us with will allow us to get our message out to thousands more people that they have somewhere to turn when they need support. The Mind Series is not only a brilliant way to raise awareness about mental health, it will also provide vital funding for our services at a time when more people than ever need Mind’s help. Our message to fans is simple: whoever you support, Mind is here to support you.”
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, said:
“As we take steps forward out of the pandemic, we’re happy to play in a series which promotes better mental health. The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult and so many people – including many of our own fans – understandably need some extra support for their mental wellbeing. Of course, these pre-season games will provide our teams with excellent high-quality preparation ahead of next season, but also very importantly they will be raising funds and awareness for organisations, like Mind, who give their outstanding support to those who need it the most in difficult circumstances.”
Chelsea Head Coach, Thomas Tuchel, said:
“I am pleased that my first pre-season with Chelsea contains such high-level fixtures against such top-quality opponents. Hopefully there can be plenty of fans in the stadiums. Derby matches against Arsenal and Tottenham cannot fail to have a competitive edge which is what the team needs as we prepare for the season, and knowing the games will benefit charities as important as Mind and our own Foundation adds much value to the series. It is super important that looking after mental health is highlighted at this time in history.”
Fabio Paratici, Tottenham Hotspur Managing Director, Football, said:
“We are delighted to be participating in The Mind Series – another fantastic example of how football clubs can unite in support of such important causes. We expect the matches to be fiercely competitive London derbies that will get the fans excited for the season ahead, whilst providing perfect preparation for the players. The interest this will create will in turn provide a huge and much-needed boost to Mind – a charity that has such a vital role to play in the lives of so many following the difficult times we have all experienced – as well as our own Foundations.”
Further details on ticketing, permitted attendances and where fans can watch from home will be communicated in due course.
For more on Mind’s work in football see mind.org.uk/football
