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Paddy Pimblett: Number of men attending mental health club surges after UFC star’s speech on suicide
Published 14:51 27 Jul 2022 BST
Updated 17:33 27 Jul 2022 BST
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Men attended a mental health group for the first time this week following the UFC star's urgent plea
Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett's inspirational speech has encouraged a huge surge in the number of men attending a mental health club in West Yorkshire. Following his victory at the O2 Arena on Saturday, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) superstar called on men to speak out if they're struggling. After dedicating the fight to a friend who died by suicide, Pimblett, 27, said: "There's a stigma in this world that men can't talk. Listen, if you're a man and you've got a weight on your shoulders and you think the only way you can solve it is by killing yourself - please speak to someone. Speak to anyone. "I know I'd rather me mate cry on my shoulder than go to his funeral next week. So please, let's get rid of this stigma and men start talking."
Men attending Andy's Man Club, one of the most prominent men's mental health groups in West Yorkshire, has since surged following Pimblett's plea, with many attending for the first time.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP), Leeds and Castleford facilitator Andy Wilson said: "Across both of the Leeds and Castleford groups we have 69 (10 new) and 39 (9 new) who attended respectively. It just shows how much the groups are needed and how more and more men are talking if they're struggling.
Paddy Pimblett of England celebrates defeating Jordan Leavitt of USA in the Lightweight bout during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena on July 23, 2022 (Image: Getty)[/caption]
"The interview with Paddy Pimblett following his fight at the weekend can only have helped raise awareness on how important is for people to open up and talk if they're struggling with anything and a reminder once again that it's okay to talk."
[caption id="attachment_350784" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Paddy Pimblett of England celebrates defeating Jordan Leavitt of USA in the Lightweight bout during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena on July 23, 2022 (Image: Getty)[/caption]
Pimblett's raw, touching speech drew a huge response from the crowd, with the fighter backing away to be consoled by his team. As he left the fight arena, heading back-stage, Pimblett was openly crying, with fans applauding him and cheering him on.
Mental health consultant Pete White said the UFC fighter's speech was a "brilliant example of pattern interrupt".
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Speaking to YEP, he explained: "People were expecting Paddy to give the usual post-fight victory speech, but he delivered an incredibly powerful and vulnerable message about mental health.
"This, along with a professional fighter, someone we often view as 'tough' and not concerned with mental health concerns, made people sit up and listen.
"We need more people doing this from all parts of society - vulnerability empowers."
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