Rangers icons John ‘Bomber’ Brown and Mark Hateley visited a session of the Rangers Charity Foundation’s Team Talk programme, a 12-week mental wellbeing scheme designed to support men with their mental health.
It is delivered by the foundation’s in-house trauma counsellor, Jane McLean, and includes discussions, peer support, and optional physical activity.
Jordan Boyd, community programmes manager at the Rangers Charity Foundation, said: “Team Talk is all about creating a supportive environment where men feel comfortable speaking openly about their mental health, often for the first time, and the impact we see from participants is incredibly powerful.
“We are extremely thankful to FDJ United for their support, which plays a crucial role in enabling us to deliver this programme and reach men who may otherwise not access support.
“The addition of ambassador visits is hugely beneficial.
“When participants hear from figures they recognise and respect, it reinforces the message that mental health challenges can affect anyone and that speaking up is a positive step forward.”
The programme takes a multi-faceted approach to tackling social isolation, building confidence, and equipping men with practical tools to manage stress, anxiety and everyday pressures.
Sessions are offered both in-person and online to ensure accessibility.
Mark spoke openly with participants about his own experiences of pressure and resilience, stressing the importance of reaching out for support.
He said: “I think it’s good to share stories about your life; both good and bad.
“Just because you’re a footballer doesn’t mean to say you’re immune from having a dip in your mental health.
“Everybody goes through situations in life where they face challenges that can cause additional stress and anxiety.
“I was fortunate that I had a strong network around me in friends and family.
“And it’s really, really important now to be able to have that network.
“Even if it’s not a big network, just a couple of people, even one guy or one girl that can help when you need to share how you’re feeling.
“Whatever level of pressure you put yourself under, you still have to have coping mechanisms.
“Whether you’re a doctor or a bus driver or work in a restaurant – we all have the same problems, and you need people around you to help you through that problem.”
Mark’s words resonated with many of those in the room.
Daniel, a participant in the programme, said: “I think on a personal level, I’ve been through quite a tough time with my mental health.
“So having Mark and Bomber come out gives a bit of a morale boost.
“It kind of takes our minds away from what we’re going through because we realise when we speak to these guys that have competed at a high level, we can face similar problems.
“I found Mark very informative.
“What he’s gone through in life, different situations that he’s gone through, he tackled them head on.
“Whether he was injured, whether he was out of the team or he was at a low point, he was always giving it his best and it made a difference to his state of mind.”
Another participant, Jim, shared how the programme has helped him re-engage with others.
He said: “Seeing the ambassadors coming in, it’s a tremendous lift for the day and it does take your mind off things that are bothering you.
“I’ve got epilepsy so I can’t go anywhere myself, so my wife takes me everywhere.
“But as for meeting people, I wasn’t meeting anybody and I wasn’t interested in meeting new people.
“But this has helped me build a bit more confidence to speak to people that I’ve never met before.
“Team Talk has been a massive help though and the support we’ve had has been crucial in helping us tackle things that are giving us bother in our daily lives.
“I just can’t thank the Foundation enough for putting the Team Talk programme on for us.”
The Team Talk programme is designed with an understanding of the barriers that often prevent men from seeking help.
By creating a relaxed environment centred around football, it encourages open conversation and builds trust.
