AN ALVECHURCH man who brought himself back from the brink of suicide twice will ride 960km in four days, touring every national rugby union stadium, to raise awareness of men’s mental health and suicide.
Stuart Baker, a prison officer and former rugby player, will stop off at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Principality Stadium in Cardiff and finally Twickenham – to encourage men to talk about how they are feeling.
The latest figures released in the 2019 Samaritans Suicide Statistic Report found 4,382 men committed suicide in the UK in 2019 – the equivalent of 12 a day.
The 42-year-old is starting his challenge at Murrayfield on February 7 before finishing at Twickenham on February 10 for the England v Wales Six Nations game.
Stuart, who has experienced depression and anxiety for more than 20 years, said: “I kept my emotions to myself for the best part of ten years and I’ve been on the bridge before where I’ve come close to ending my own life, so I want to help men to not be in the situation that I found myself in.
Stuart Baker is lining up to tackle the 960km from Murrayfield Stadium to Twickenham Stadium. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0224003MMR2 www.buyphotos247.com“My mental health took a real turn for the worse when I retired from rugby 12 years ago which is when over a course of time I tried to take my own life on two occasions but opening up about my emotions helped.
“My main aim with this cycle ride is to primarily say to men if they are feeling down and feel like they need help, to go and confide in somebody – you can be a man mountain on the pitch and deliver big hits for 80 minutes but still have your demons off the pitch.
“And what better way to speak to men than through the rugby arena?
“I still have bad days but I now live my life by what I call the ‘The Mindset Triangle’ by striking a balance between sleep, healthy eating and exercise – and if this sort of approach can rub off on other people, then the challenge will have been worth it.”
Stuart will also be raising money for mental health charity Loose Headz which is a charity within the rugby community with a goal to have a mental health lead in every rugby club in the world.
Rob Shotton, of Loose Headz, added: “It’s important that individuals who feel like they are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression know where to turn for help, and what Stuart is doing to change this is truly inspirational.”
Email [email protected] for more about Stuart’s challenge.
