Derry City FC to meet mental health charity MAN after McClean comments
Club reinforces its core values on wellbeing and accepts invitation from local support group.
Derry City FC has officially accepted an invitation to meet with local charity Men’s Action Network (MAN) following comments regarding mental health made by player James McClean in the national media.
In an interview published in yesterday’s Sunday Independent, Mr McClean stated that he had never tried therapy, noting that he would “see it as a weakness that I’d have to speak to someone about my feelings; my emotions.”
In response, Derry-based Men’s Action Network extended an open invitation to the club and the Ireland centurion. The charity emphasised the vital importance of ensuring public messages encourage, rather than discourage, men from seeking help.
MAN Chairperson, Michael Lynch, clarified that the offer of a meeting is not an adversarial move: “Essentially MAN wants to highlight why we believe the message is wrong and to explain why it matters. Men asking for support is not a sign of weakness. For more than 30 years, MAN has worked in our community to challenge the stigma that it is.
“In fact, asking for support is the strongest thing you will ever do, and to suggest otherwise could send the wrong message to men who may already be struggling to take that first step. James McClean is an influential figure, particularly for young men in our community. With that influence comes an opportunity to encourage men to seek support.”
Derry City FC issued a statement clarifying that the player's remarks do not align with the organisation's foundational principles, confirming their commitment to proactive mental health support: “The Club wishes to make clear that these views do not reflect our core values or beliefs. The Club places the highest priority on the mental health and wellbeing of our players, staff and the wider Derry City community.
“Supported by our in-house psychologist, the Club actively encourages anyone facing mental health challenges to speak openly, seek support and know they never have to face such challenges alone.
“The Club has accepted an invitation to meet with Men’s Action Network (MAN) to discuss these issues.”