As we did earlier this year, for International Women’s Day, so we do similar for today and World Mental Health Day; here at the Nottingham Sport we caught up with some of regional athletes to chat about mental health, and their own, personal experiences.

One of those sharing their experience, is Emma White, central midfielder of East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division side, Notts County Women.

Having re-joined the club in the summer, Miss White, who as a twin (Amy White) recently celebrated her 30^th birthday, has seen herself both playing, and coaching, at home, and abroad, counting spells with Burnley and Nottingham Forest in the UK, and in New Jersey in the United States.

However, it’s the past five years or that her life, and career, has taken on new meaning, new identity, due to her ongoing work with individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and downs syndrome, she giving her all to the benefit of disability sports.

Digressing somewhat, and according to the website, www.wfmh.global (World Federation of Mental Health), the 2021 World Mental Health Day, and its topic ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World,’ shows that:

“The world is increasingly polarized, with the very wealthy becoming wealthier, and the number of people living in poverty still far too high. 2020 highlighted inequalities due to race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the lack of respect for human rights in many countries, including for people living with mental health conditions,” and that its chosen theme “highlight that access to mental health services remains unequal, with between 75% to 95% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries unable to access mental health services at all, and access in high income countries is not much better.

“Lack of investment in mental health disproportionate to the overall health budget contributes to the mental health treatment gap.”

Emma meanwhile, she was initially a part of the County Centre of Excellence in her youth, eventually ending up Stateside, not once, but twice, however, it’s the day job that also brings much satisfaction to the 30-year-old – we say the ‘day job’ lightly, it often stretching into evenings as well.

She wouldn’t change any of it though, probably wanting more hours in her days, and more days in her weeks to continue with what she does, and enjoys doing.

“I’ve worked in an autism specialty school for the past three years, and with the downs syndrome group (Nottinghamshire Downs Syndrome Support Group) since last year,” began Emma.

“I do like to be kept busy, but it’s also intense at the same time; they love their sports though, and, although I do burnout on occasion. I’m used to it, so playing football, that’s my way of relaxing, my release.”

Since March last year, and with the world having been plunged into a global pandemic, the effect on so many has been as different as it has been alike. Everybody, everywhere has been affected in different, yet similar ways, including Emma and her family.

“Over the past eighteen months, both my mum, and my sister, were made redundant,” she added.

“Although I didn’t have football for the most of it, I still had my work – if I’d lost that, then it would have been much harder for me, more as I love the variety in which it affords.”

One thing that does stand out for Emma, more with her career path of choice, is the mis-categorisation of those with disabilities, of any kind, especially having seen similar stance in the formative years of the women’s game.

“For me, last weekend (Notts County Women’s 2-0 Vitality Women’s FA Cup win over Kettering Town, White notching a brace) I was able to give them (NDSSG) the opportunity to be mascots, and to go onto the pitch and take penalties at half-time,” beamed Emma, with understandable delight.

“I’ve been playing football myself since I was five-years-old, I’ve seen the growth of the women’s game.

“So, with these individuals, yes, they’re probably not going to make it as a professional athlete, but they should be seen to be given opportunities elsewhere, and to not be miscategorised.”

It’s because of this which keeps Emma going, keeps her giving her all to those around her, and on a daily basis – those who know her, would expect no less as well, after all, it is who she is.

Continuing to make those seemingly unequal, more equal, for her part at least, Emma’s passion is most certainly her life, and she finished in saying that: “I love what I do though, and you have to have a certain personality in which to do it.

“There are many frustrations, but I love to be able to give them opportunities, it’s the rewards, and there’s something different, something special, every day.

“Especially as it can be really tough for them, daily.”

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NCFC_Women Notts County’s Emma White works with helping children of various disabilities.