Each year 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health problems and sadly mental health disorders are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide.

This was brought to light in 2012 with the death of 24 year old Sefton Park CC wicketkeeper Alex Miller. Cricket was the biggest joy in Alex’s life and it provides so many benefits to those who play it so his teammates decided to set up openingupcricket.com, a not for profit social enterprise promoting mental wellbeing and suicide prevention through cricket to honour his memory.

About Opening Up Cricket 

Opening Up Cricket are spreading their word in 2 main areas:

1 - 'Mind & Body' training sessions 

These are free sessions delivered to clubs and groups within the sport to address mental fitness and health by focusing on the link between physical and mental health. Their sessions cover areas such as mind-set and coping with pressure.

2 - It's Not Weak To Speak campaign

This campaign involves a number of people from the world of cricket talking about sport, fitness and mental health.  Linking up with cricket journalists, coaches, ex players such as Ronnie Irani and current cricketers like England International Kate Cross, they are spreading the word that talking about your feelings is the key to wellbeing.

What can I do?

So, what can you do to help? You can suppport them in a number of ways:

• Buy their kit. They have a range of t-shirts, hoodies and hats which will all show your support.

• Add a Opening Up sticker to your bat which will show your support out in the middle.

• Join their Century Club. Just £2 a month will help fund the project and you get a free T-Shirt and there are monthly cash and kit draws to win.

So, please follow the links in this blog, show your support and talk to your club about booking a Mind and Body Session.