Bright named ambassador of mental health charity

Millie Bright captained England to the 2023 Women's World Cup final

England international Millie Bright has been named an ambassador for children's mental health charity YoungMinds.

The 31-year-old has spoken out previously on mental health struggles and describes this new role as "the most moving thing" she will do in her career.

Having supported her mother through depression and anxiety, Bright hopes to use her own experiences to help young people.

"Honestly, it's scary how many people come forward and say they are struggling," the Chelsea captain told BBC Sport.

"I don't feel like you should ever feel alone in a world with billions of people. I've always said I'm the glue in my family and always try to keep everything together.

"My mum has struggled badly with depression and anxiety. I've seen her go through that journey and to now be on the other side of it is so nice to see.

"It's a horrible journey to go through – not only for themselves but the people surrounding them. It's like day and night. Mental health can really affect someone and change who they are."

Bright will help YoungMinds by going to schools and events to promote positivity and provide safe circles for young people who are struggling.

She added: "It's really hard to know how to help. How do you support someone going through that journey? I've always found when I'm struggling, the worst thing someone can say to me is, 'are you OK?'

"I now say, 'is there anything I can do for you?' It's about trying to get people back into that happy place and being comfortable.

"For me and my mum, it's the farm. I grew up on the farm and it's my sanctuary. Being up there is where nothing else matters to my mum and nothing affects her.

"She's happy there. It’s nice to see her come out of the other side but I know some people don't. They probably feel alone and like they have nobody to talk to.

"That really struck me about YoungMinds. They help the families as well as the person struggling which I think is key."

'Safe circles', journals and social media

Millie Bright with best friends Erin Cuthbert, Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten last season

Chelsea defender Bright has learned how to manage her mental health but it has not always been easy.

In May, she told BBC Sport she had question marks over her career after a lengthy injury forced her to miss most of the season.

During the Covid pandemic, Bright and best friend Rachel Daly - a former England international - set up a social media account called "Your Daly Dose of Brightness", which they used as a platform to support others.

"If someone was having a rubbish day they could turn to us. Some messages were very private but others were just to say thank you," said Bright.

Her advice to young people is to use the services provided by YoungMinds and to "reach out" when they need support.

Bright also has tips of her own to pass on, including surrounding herself with a "safe circle" of close friends and family.

They include fiance Levi, Chelsea team-mates Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten and Erin Cuthbert, as well as former England stars Daly and Carly Telford.

"I also write journals which has been a life-saver, particularly in football where there are a million opinions," added Bright. "You can be the best player one day, the worst the next.

"There are good and bad things in it. I write down the positive things so I can read over it. I just try to remember all the good things of that journey."

Bright also comes off social media because she says it can be "a toxic place" when you are "trying to heal".

However, Bright believes social media can also be a good place to find support and to "uplift each other and not bring each other down".

"Social media has allowed me to connect with people who are struggling too," she said.

"It brings people together. It can be a better place. We just need to remind people of that and of all the positive things."

'Everyone struggles at some point'

Bright believes she has a "responsibility" to use her platform to help others.

"Even if I can just make a difference to one person's mental health, I would be over the moon," she said.

"Everyone has a choice on what they want to do with [their platform] but in a world where it's not as good as it could be, why would you not choose to make it a better place?"

Bright has already seen the impact of what she can do by using her platform to address mental health.

"Football puts you in the limelight so it's just showing that it's OK to speak out. I think that's what most people appreciate," she said.

"Our lifestyles can be perceived as big, fancy and that everything is sunshine and roses. It really isn't. We're all humans - no matter your background, how much money you have or what your job is.

"Everyone struggles at some point. When you don't take care of those things, the effect can be massive.

"I've witnessed that and I've been more open at talking about that. It's about showing we're raw. That's something I've always believed in."