How a football friendship helped one grieving fan's mental health

Andy Beaufoy (left) and Richie Suthers said they wanted more football fans to open up about their mental health

A lifelong football supporter is urging other fans to follow his lead and talk more about mental health - after admitting that opening up to a close friend helped him through grief and changed his life.

Richie Suthers and his best friend, Andy Beaufoy, have long bonded over football and regular rounds of golf.

That friendship, they say, became crucial this year when Mr Suthers struggled with his mental health after a family bereavement.

Mr Suthers, a Coventry City fan, said after his stepfather's death, he felt he had to protect his family by hiding how he felt.

But, in the months that followed the funeral, Mr Suthers began experiencing anxiety, panic attacks and heart palpitations.

To cope, he said he drank more than usual to "numb the pain".

"There were days I'd be driving and think about crashing the car. I felt overwhelmed. Other times, I'd completed check out of conversations," he admitted.

The friends said they now regularly "check in" on each others mental health

One evening, while out for a meal with his wife and friends, the anxiety became too much and he got up and left abruptly.

Later at home, he said he broke down in tears.

"My wife rang Andy's wife, who is a counsellor, and she helped me get into therapy," he said.

"I'd never really opened up about my feelings. I'd never really cried before. I didn't know how to."

The 48-year-old said therapy taught him that emotions were not a weakness.

"Once I started talking, the panic didn't feel as powerful," he said.

With World Mental Health Day on Friday, the friends said they were urging men - and football fans in particular - to speak up if they were struggling.

The day itself, the World Health Organization said, was about such raising of awareness of mental health issues around the world - and increasing efforts in support of mental health.

"I thought being a man meant not showing weakness," Mr Suthers said.

"Trying to be strong for everyone else nearly broke me. I want others to know - you don't have to carry it alone."

On the golf course, the pair said they now "check in" as standard.

"Talking to Richie has helped me as much as it's helped him," Mr Beaufoy said.

"We challenge each other to be honest. Some days that's hard but it's always worth it."

For Mr Suthers, small steps made the difference: A message, a coffee, nine holes.

"I'm not pretending any more," he said. "I'm living my life."

Information and support for those affected by mental health can be found at the BBC's Action Line website.