M&S Bank Arena partners with Premier League Darts and Chasing the Stigma to spotlight mental health awareness

As the excitement builds for the arrival of the 2024 Premier League Darts season at the M&S Bank Arena on Thursday 25 April, a significant collaboration is underway to shine a spotlight on mental health awareness.

M&S Bank Arena, together with BetMGM Premier League Darts and award-winning mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, is gearing up to host a night of top-class darts with a powerful message.

Watch above as Jay meets Jake Mills from Chasing the Stigma and Ben Williams from the M&S Bank Arena to find out about the new campaign.

The event will feature the biggest names in world darts competing in quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, promising an evening of thrilling action for fans. Among the competitors will be current World Champion Darts player, Luke Humphries, who is not only a formidable talent on the oche but also a vocal advocate for men’s mental health awareness.

Luke Humphries said:

“Everybody’s struggles are different, but we all go through it and we all try and manage it as best as we possibly can. I’m proud of the way I battled the things going on in my head. Speak to the people who are closest to you the most, they’re the people who are there in the toughest moments.

“It’s important to open up on the subject and talk about it because I feel as if it’s not talked about enough. I went out and spoke to the right people and now I stand here as a World Champion.”

Chasing the Stigma, a leading mental health charity, is dedicated to removing the stigma associated with mental health and ensuring that support is accessible to all. Their flagship initiative, the Hub of Hope, serves as the UK’s largest directory of mental health services, offering a comprehensive range of support options for individuals facing various challenges.

Ben Williams, Director of Commercial and Business Development at the M&S Bank Arena said: 

“Our aim is to raise awareness among our audience and staff that help is out there. Everyone has their own mental health journey, but it’s well known that men are statistically more reluctant than women to seek help when they’re struggling. Although mental health is being talked about now more than ever, there’s still so much work to do to remove that stigma surrounding it.”

Jake Mills, Founder and CEO of Chasing the Stigma said: 

“The Hub of Hope is more than just another mental health app, it’s a gateway to recovery and support. If you or a loved one is struggling with any mental health concern, we urge you to start with the Hub of Hope, to find the most readily available support near you, when you need it. There is always help and there is ALWAYS hope.”

With more than 14,000 local, regional, grassroots and national services listed, the Hub of Hope is the UK’s go-to mental health support signposting tool. It includes a ‘Need Help Now’ function which allows you to talk directly to Samaritans or access text message support via the Shout Text line.

The ACC Liverpool Group, who operate the M&S Bank Arena, have adopted the Hub of Hope as the official mental health signposting tool for staff and have trained many of their staff as Ambassadors of Hope.

Ben Williams added: 

“We’re committed to supporting the positive wellbeing of our staff and encouraging good mental health practices and have embraced the Hub of Hope as the official mental health signposting tool for our workforce. Starting the conversation is the important first step in supporting good mental health and a happy, healthy workplace”

Hub of Hope is free to use and can be accessed online or via the app, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Play Store.

• Around three-quarters of suicides in 2021 were males (4,129 deaths; 74.0%) (ONS)
• There are still over 5,000 deaths by suicide in England each year. The male rate remains 3 times higher. (DoHSC)

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