Custom-made public benches are being put in place to promote mental health awareness during the Qatar World Cup and the role football can play in a healthy life.
Thirty-two ‘friendship benches' — representing each nation at the World Cup finals tournament — will be placed in locations around Qatar, an announcement on World Mental Health Day revealed.
Track athlete Sir Mo Farah, one of Britain’s finest runners, was at the launch where he saw the English bench.
Farah was with Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, vice chairwoman and chief executive of Qatar Foundation, at the World Innovation Summit for Health where the benches project was launched.
“Meeting Sir Mo and hearing the compelling story of how he left Mogadishu for London as a young boy and the mental health challenges he faced highlighted the importance of sitting down and talking about our mental health,” she said.
“I’m proud that Qatar Foundation’s global health initiative is among those helping shine a spotlight on mental health in such an innovative and practical way.”
The benches will be installed in prominent locations, including near tournament stadiums.
The project, part of the Sport for Health partnership, is led by the World Health Organisation and Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health.
It aims to show the importance of mental health and offer advice on ways to promote well-being, including through the importance of physical activity and sport.
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Mo Farah is a four-time Olympic champion and one of the greatest British athletes of all time. Here 'The National' looks back at his career. Getty Images -
Farah celebrates winning the One Hour Race with a new World Record time in September 2020 in Brussels. Getty Images -
Farah crosses the finish line at the London Marathon in 2019. Getty Images -
Farah on the red carpet ahead of receiving a 'Lifetime Achievement' award at the BT Sports Awards in 2018 in London. Getty Images -
Farah lifts his son Hussein as his twin daughters Aisha and Amani look on during a family day out in St James' Park, London, in 2018. Getty Images -
Farah reflects in between training sessions in 2018 in St Moritz, Switzerland. Getty Images -
Farah has the support of locals during a 42km training run in February 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Getty Images -
Farah with wife Tania after he was awarded a Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, in 2017. PA -
Farah holds both his 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals on the podium at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Getty Images -
Farah celebrates after crossing the finish line to win gold in the Men's 5,000 metres at IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, in 2015. Getty Images -
Farah holds his CBE medal at Buckingham Palace, after he received the award in 2013. PA -
Farah shows off his famous 'Mobot' celebration on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men's 5,000m at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images -
Farah celebrates with a cheque after winning a 3,000m race in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2009. Getty Images -
Farah in action in Bedford, England, in 2002. Getty Images
“The bench is a simple yet powerful vehicle for promoting mental health, from park benches where people gather in football stadiums where players and staff watch their teams play for the joy and promise of sport and success,” said WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“The friendship benches project is a powerful reminder of the importance of how health, from mental to physical health, is precious and common to all people and nations, and how, through sports, people can reach out to others, as fellow human beings, in the spirt of solidarity and support.”
The locations of each of the 32 benches will be announced shortly.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: “The friendship benches project is another vehicle to raise awareness about mental health conditions and to encourage a conversation, which could save a life. Fifa is proud to partner with the WHO, and Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health to put football at the service of society, and to leave a lasting legacy in Qatar for residents and visitors.”
