TWO rugby league players have spoken out about their own personal challenges with mental health as part of a project aimed at reducing stigma and opening up life-saving conversations across Cumbria.
Workington Town players Grant Reid and Zarrin Galea have taken part in Cumbria United Against Suicide - a free county-wide project uniting sports clubs, coaches, and athletes from all sports to take a stand against suicide.
Developed by Every Life Matters in partnership with Cumberland Council, Active Cumbria, and TDA (The Decommissioning Alliance), the campaign uses the power of sport — teamwork, community, and solidarity — to reduce the stigma around suicide and open up life-saving conversations.
As part of an early project session, the pair opened up about their own situations - and decided later to share their stories in a bid to raise awareness.
Following issues within his family and the loss of his auntie in January 2025, Grant Reid started suffering with poor mental health, with the issues reaching a climax and the Town player completely 'losing it' in August last year, self harming following a charity cricket match.
Having suffered with mental health issues himself, with members of his family taking their own lives and an attempt on his own life at 18, his best friend and team mate Zarrin Galea was able 'see the signs' in his best friend and teammate, as well as using his own experience to support Grant.
"It was the day after he came round because he knew something hadn't been right with me for ages. It was more a case of anxiety knowing he was coming", said Grant. "I play rugby with him, I'm best mates with him. How do you tell your best mate you're not right and you're having thoughts of suicide?
"We went for a coffee and he sat me down, saying 'just tell me straight, what is going on', and he opened up to me about some things."
Zarrin added: "When you have got your best mate going through all of that and you pick up on the signs, you would do anything to make sure they are alright."
The Town players have urged people to check in on their friends 'who just aren't themselves', saying they have found the best way to approach the situation would be to take them somewhere comfortable, giving them the space to talk about their situation.
"Once you speak about it you will get help, but the more you keep it in the more it gets you and puts you in a place you don't want to be in", said Grant. "If Zarrin hadn't have come round that day I don't even want to know what I would have done."
After Grant spoke to Zarrin last August, he was able to put steps in place to improve his mental health, with the pair saying the biggest things they find to combat any issues are a strong routine, exercise, socialising with friends and getting outdoors.
Cumbria United created a short video talking to the Town players about their experience, with the piece being shared on social media last week, gaining traction around the county.
The pair have said that so far Cumbria United has done 'an amazing job' at getting into clubs, with the first sign-up event held at Workington Town's ground the Fibrus Community Stadium, and many local sports teams already signing up to the initiative.
"There definitely is a stigma, but people need to get off that thing of 'you're a footballer or a rugby player, you shouldn't really suffer with mental health', when really that's the biggest load of rubbish, and it needs addressed," said Grant.
"What matters is we can get into local sports clubs and more around England, not just in Cumbria."
When asked whether they had expected to be so heavily involved in the project, Zarrin said: "We didn't expect it, but we actually came out of the room and said, 'we can help people here'. And we have already had quite a few people message us personally about their own struggles.
"We knew we could have an effect, but we didn't understand to what extent. We are both in a position to be beacons of hope, that's why we are so open and talk about it. And being vulnerable as well... that it is okay not to be okay."
Interested clubs can sign up here: www.every-life-matters.org.uk/cumbria-united/
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
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