• Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Cumbria Crack app
  • About us
Friday, July 25, 2025
cumbriacrack.com
  • News
  • Sport
    • All sport
    • Carlisle United
  • Business
  • What’s on
  • Jobs
  • Food & drink
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Sport
    • All sport
    • Carlisle United
  • Business
  • What’s on
  • Jobs
  • Food & drink
No Result
View All Result
cumbriacrack.com
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Chris Lumsdon opens up about his struggle with mental health

by Cumbria Crack
01/03/2024
in News
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Picture: Harry Atkinson

Former Carlisle United footballer Chris Lumsdon has talked candidly about his struggle with mental health.

The stylish midfielder, who made 167 appearances for the Blues between 2004 and 2009, was speaking at a Cumberland Building Society Wellbeing Day.

The event included workshops from Andy’s Man Club and neurodiversity charity Owl Blue, mindfulness classes, and sessions focused on the importance of talking openly about mental health and wellbeing.

During his talk Lumsdon recalled how, his mental health issues began after he joined Championship side Barnsley and found himself out of the team.

“I was homesick, living on my own in a place where I didn’t know many people. I told the manager I was struggling, but his response was ‘you’re a footballer, man up’.”

He considered giving up professional football but a move to Carlisle United, where manager Paul Simpson was nurturing and supportive, revived his career.

Chris now helps young people with mental health advice alongside football skills through his business Lumsdon Elite Coaching.

He added: “If you are starting to struggle, there are ways to get assistance, to learn how to practise self-care.”

His presentation went down well with the audience. David Noble, a risk oversight manager at the Cumberland, said: “Chris talked in such a positive way about what can be a negative subject.

“He made people feel confident to talk about their mental health in the same way they’d talk about their physical health.”

The Cumberland has trained 12 volunteers as mental health and wellbeing champions.

This was the second time it has hosted a Wellbeing Day at its Cumberland House head office in Carlisle.

Activities included fitness and mindfulness classes, workshops on men’s mental health, neurodiversity and supporting family members in their mental health, and a session on Ikigai, a Japanese concept of life purpose.

Virtual talks also ran during the week for workers who could not attend in person.

Business manager Tom Little, who organised the event, said: “We started the Wellbeing Day last year and were delighted with the way colleagues engaged.

“This year the sessions have been packed. We’ve had around 250 colleagues taking part and the quality of the content of the talks has been brilliant.”

Carolyn Rowcroft, a mortgage hub manager, found the mindfulness class especially worthwhile. She said: “We spend a lot of time at our desks so it was useful to learn techniques to use day-to-day to relieve stress and pressure.”

The Cumberland has introduced a number of avenues in which colleagues can reach out for support, including a 24/7 employee assistance programme, a menopause support group, and a men’s group. The business will continue their focus on employee wellbeing this year, celebrating neurodiversity week in March.

The neurodiversity charity Owl Blue delivered a Wellbeing Day workshop as did Andy’s Man Club, which provides a forum for men to talk through problems. Chris Green, lead facilitator for Andy’s Man Club, said: “Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 54. One of the problems is that men don’t talk about stuff, they keep it in. Our message is that it’s okay to talk.

“We started in Carlisle in January so being here has helped to raise awareness. It’s important that women know about us too because wives and girlfriends often push their men to come along.”

The Cumberland was a finalist at last year’s British HR Awards, recognised for its approach to staff wellbeing being. It was also rated one of the UK’s best large employers in Best Companies’ annual survey, which praised the Society for its appointment of mental health and wellbeing champions and its support.

Previous Post

Accolade for Lloyd BMW Carlisle

Next Post

Woman attacked in early hours outside Barrow pub

Have you read?

Violent disorder in Lake District village results in arrest
News

Violent disorder in Lake District village results in arrest

25/07/2025
Vehicle owners urged to take care after early hours incident
News

Missing 89-year-old man from Carlisle found

25/07/2025
University of Cumbria top in North West for graduate outcomes
News

University of Cumbria top in North West for graduate outcomes

25/07/2025
First look inside Whitehaven’s new coastal activity centre
News

Whitehaven’s Edge set to start hosting activities over summer

25/07/2025
Relaunch for historic fishing boat
News

Relaunch for historic fishing boat

25/07/2025
South Lakes police raids recover £6,500 in drugs and £2,000 cash
Latest

South Lakes police raids recover £6,500 in drugs and £2,000 cash

25/07/2025

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox!

*We hate spam as much as you do. Privacy Statement

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: admin@cumbriacrack.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Carlisle United
  • Business
  • What’s on
  • Jobs

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Send a sport report
  • Get our app
  • Advertise with us
  • About us

Follow us on

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox!

*We hate spam as much as you do. Privacy Statement

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

© Barrnon Media Limited 2023

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy
This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Sport
    • All sport
    • Carlisle United
  • Business
  • What’s on
  • Jobs
  • Food & drink

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.