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We'll take part in The Mind Series this summer

The Mind Series announcement

We will come together with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur this summer to support better mental health by taking part in The Mind Series. 

We will take on each other in a first-of-its-kind series of pre-season friendlies in August, as a curtain raiser to the 2021/22 season.

Funds raised from the series will be split between Mind and the respective club foundations*, that each deliver projects to support mental health and wellbeing in communities both at home and overseas. 

Mind – the UK’s leading mental health charity – and the clubs, using their huge global reach and platforms, will promote mental health awareness as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Demand for Mind’s services, including its Infoline, has increased exponentially during the pandemic, with latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics showing one in five adults experiencing symptoms of depression, compared to one in 10 prior to the pandemic. Mind’s own survey of 16,000 people during the initial lockdown also found that two in three young people (68 per cent) and three in five adults (60 per cent) said their mental health got worse.

The schedule is as follows: 

•    Arsenal v Chelsea: Sunday, August 1, Emirates Stadium, 3pm (UK time)

•    Chelsea v Tottenham: Wednesday, August 4, Stamford Bridge, 7.45pm (UK)

•    Tottenham v Arsenal: Sunday, August 8, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 2pm (UK)

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “We’re delighted that Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have come together to back Mind’s work through the Mind Series. We know from our work in the sector, including our charity partnership with the EFL, that football has the power to create real change, not least around mental health. 

"The platform that these three huge clubs can provide us with will allow us to get our message out to thousands more people that they have somewhere to turn when they need support. The Mind Series is not only a brilliant way to raise awareness about mental health, it will also provide vital funding for our services at a time when more people than ever need Mind’s help. Our message to fans is simple: whoever you support, Mind is here to support you.”

Mikel Arteta said: “As we take steps forward out of the pandemic, we’re happy to play in a series which promotes better mental health. The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult and so many people - including many of our own fans - understandably need some extra support for their mental wellbeing. 

"Of course, these pre-season games will provide our teams with excellent high-quality preparation ahead of next season, but also very importantly they will be raising funds and awareness for organisations, like Mind, who give their outstanding support to those who need it the most in difficult circumstances.”

Further details on ticketing, permitted attendances and where fans can watch from home will be communicated in due course. 

To learn more about the work of Mind and the support the charity provides, click here.

*£5 from each ticket sold will support charitable projects, with Mind receiving 25 per cent of proceeds from all three matches in the Mind Series and with each club’s foundation receiving 75 per cent of proceeds from that club foundation’s respective home match.