Oxford United boss says mental health issues 'not weakness'

Mental health issues 'not weakness' - Oxford coach Oxford United's head coach Des Buckingham has said mental health issues "cannot be seen as a weakness".

Buckingham's comments came as more than 200 people took part in a mental health workshop organised by the club.

The event - part of the U's Can We Talk? campaign - was held in partnership with Oxfordshire Mind and the Joey Beauchamp Foundation.

A panel, including Buckingham and first team player Will Vaulks, shared their own personal experiences at the workshop.

Buckingham was praised earlier in the season after wearing jumper that highlighted the importance of men's mental health on the touchline, during his team's game against Burnley at the Kassam Stadium.

The stadium played host to Monday's event, where people were able to find out about local support and chat with like-minded people.

Buckingham told the BBC: "If we can play our part as a football club to raise awareness of what support there is, then we have to do that."

He continued: "Football, traditionally, has always been a very much, 'this is how you do what you do', and men don't talk about that sort of stuff."

He compared the environment of a football changing room to society as a whole.

"You want people to feel safe, you want people to people feel comfortable, but more importantly, you want people to be themselves - and to be themselves, at times, they need support and help and that cannot be seen as a weakness," he said.

"It's important that, if people aren't comfortable speaking to a friend or family member, they know there are other avenues that they can follow that will help them - hopefully."

Among the charities in attendance at the workshop was the Joey Beauchamp Foundation, which was founded earlier this year .

Mr Beauchamp, who is widely regarded as one of the U's greatest ever players , took his own life at the age of 50 in 2022.

His brother Luke, who helped start the charity and is one of its trustees, said the foundation was a "legacy for Joey" and a chance to "keep his name alive".

"Every penny raised all goes into the local community on our mental health projects," he added.

The event comes as young people in the county are having to wait up to five years for mental health support on the NHS, according to the charity Oxfordshire Mind.

Jess Wilshire, the charity's CEO, said unsupported mental health issues could be "hugely distressing".

"We know that with the right support at the right time young people can and do improve their mental health and go on to thrive," she added.