Members of our MAN v FAT Soccer league in Sundown Park, New York, are about to hit the streets to boost funds for a massively worthy trigger.
A gaggle of gamers will take part within the Out Of The Darkness stroll to boost funds for the American Basis for Suicide Prevention, which takes place on October fifth.
Their fundraising has been led by Sundown Park member Scott Henkle, who has an extended standing affiliation with the organisation. He instructed us extra.
1) Inform us a bit extra in regards to the American Basis for Suicide Prevention?
The American Basis for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary well being group that provides these affected by suicide a nationwide group empowered by analysis, schooling and advocacy to take motion in opposition to this main explanation for loss of life.
Since its inception in 1987, AFSP has mobilized and linked tens of 1000’s of people that have misplaced somebody to suicide; reached 1000’s of people who’re in danger for suicide and people who love and take care of them; and attracted the participation of members of the scientific and medical communities, who conduct groundbreaking analysis on suicide and its prevention with AFSP’s assist.
AFSP additionally supplies group teaching programs on suicide prevention and has a public coverage arm that advocates for laws and insurance policies on the federal, state and native ranges that advance the purpose of stopping suicide.
2) What’s your individual affiliation with the organisation and what does that contain?
I’ve been a volunteer since 2021, beginning on the Brooklyn Out of the Darkness Committee in planning and executing on that fundraising occasion. Since 2023, I’ve additionally been the chair of the Paws for Prevention Committee taking the lead in creating and holding our spring fundraising canine stroll.
We have now held profitable Paws for Prevention occasions on the Coney Island Boardwalk in 2024 and 2025 and are starting the planning phases of our 2026 occasions.
3) How necessary is male psychological well being as a well being subject within the US and the way can applications like MAN v FAT assist assist this?
The unhappy truth is that males account for the overwhelming majority of suicides every year. Once we discuss in regards to the prevalence of suicide in any group its necessary to acknowledge contributing components to their larger suicide charge and protecting components that may be current to assist forestall a person from trying suicide.
The contributors to males having larger charges embrace males being extra prone to be in a single relationship standing, larger predisposition to substance use and gender norms that promote stoicism, toughness and self-reliance that discourage males from looking for assist. MAN v FAT helps males with regard to 2 protecting components: strengthening connections to household and friends and participation in significant actions.
In my time in MAN v FAT, I’ve constructed connections to these right here in this system with me at Sundown Park and see others constructing these connections with one another. I’ve personally seen how the supportive environment of our membership has inspired our members to be open with one another in our bodily and psychological struggles in weight reduction and weight-reduction plan.
These connections are necessary in suicide prevention as a result of if we are able to encourage males to be open after they’re struggling on this space they are often extra open after they’re battling psychological well being. This enables them to acknowledge on their very own after they would possibly need assistance and permits these of us round to identify when somebody would possibly want extra assist.
In my early expertise, I’ve discovered the MAN v FAT to be a supportive group of fellows on the identical journey to shed weight and enhance health. Everybody encourages one another on and off the sector to be higher than the week earlier than, whether or not it’s commiserating setbacks, sharing suggestions for getting higher on the sector or sharing what works of their weight loss program and train routine.
The aggressive nature of this system and the (albeit gentle within the scheme of issues) monetary funding inspire me to take my weight loss program extra severely as I don’t need to let the crew down on the scales or really feel like I’m losing cash by not making an attempt to shed weight to win on the scales and obtain my targets.
5) How a lot has getting again into bodily exercise and shedding weight supported your individual wellbeing to date?
Stepping into taking part in within the MAN v FAT indoor soccer league has supported my very own wellbeing by giving me a construction and motivation to enhance and follow my weight loss program and to start exercising extra even on the opposite six days within the week we don’t meet.
6) What would you say to some other guys regionally pondering of becoming a member of?
I’d encourage them to present it a attempt. It’s an important, supportive program and also you don’t want any prior soccer expertise to get began as the principles are easy and the groups will assist you as you choose it up alongside the best way.
Wish to be a part of Scott at Sundown Park or on the stroll?
You will discover out extra about MAN v FAT Soccer on our web site.
For those who’re concerned in one of many different NYC leagues and need to become involved on the stroll, please drop Scott a line or click on Be a part of The Group on their fundraising web page! To seek out out extra about AFSP, please check out their personal web site too.
