World Mental Health Day: XLFC Player Luthan Willie Becomes a Mental Health First Aider
- XLFC
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
At XLFC, we’ve always been about more than football. Yes, we play to lose weight, get fitter, and enjoy the game, but at the heart of our club is community, friendship, and supporting each other on and off the pitch. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to announce that long-standing Reading XL FC player, Luthan Willie, has become a certified Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®).
This is a huge step forward for our Reading club and for XLFC, and here’s why.
Why Mental Health Matters in Football
Football is brilliant for physical health, but it’s also about mental well-being. Many of us join XLFC to make positive changes in our lives, and while fitness is one part of that, mental health is just as important. Life can throw challenges our way including stress, low mood, anxiety, and sometimes we all need someone to talk to.
By becoming a Mental Health First Aider, Luthan is now trained to recognise the signs of poor mental health, listen without judgement, and guide people towards the right support.
What This Means for XLFC Players
Luthan isn’t here to be a counsellor or therapist, that’s not the role. But he is equipped to:
Listen and provide a safe space if a player is struggling.
Offer reassurance and guidance to someone who may not know where to turn.
Signpost to professional support when it’s needed.
Challenge stigma and help create a culture where it’s okay to talk about mental health.
Most importantly, he’ll be an approachable, confidential, and trustworthy point of contact for anyone at Reading XL FC and our growing network of clubs, who feels they need support.
The Bigger Picture
As a member of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders, Luthan also has access to resources, ongoing training, and even 24/7 support tools through the MHFAider Support App. This means he’s never alone in the role, and he’ll always be learning new ways to support his teammates.
By having a Mental Health First Aider in our squad, we’re taking another step in looking after the whole player, body and mind.
Becoming a Mental Health First Aider: Luthan’s Story:
For Luthan, empathy has always come naturally. “I’ve always had a knack for listening to people non-judgementally,” he explains. “Being sympathetic and empathetic is part of my moral fibre.”
Working with people from all walks of life made Luthan realise how important it was to understand mental health more deeply. “It just made sense to strengthen my ability to support others, becoming a Mental Health First Aider was the next step.”
What It Means to Be a Mental Health First Aider
For Luthan, being a Mental Health First Aider is about awareness and action.“It’s about being trained to recognise when someone might be struggling and knowing how to signpost them to the right help,” he says. “Sometimes, just having someone who notices makes all the difference.”
Making a Difference at XLFC:
Mental health challenges can show up in many ways, even in sport. “In life, there are many struggles,” Luthan admits. “For me, weight gain and constant injuries became a vicious cycle that really affected me. But being part of XLFC helped me take things at my own pace, surrounded by like-minded people. That sense of purpose, teamwork and achievement builds resilience, something an MHFA can help nurture in others.”
Lessons from the Training:
The biggest takeaway from the course? Spotting the signs and offering support.“I learned how to identify when someone might need help and how to guide them toward it,” Luthan says. “It’s not about fixing people it’s about helping them take that first step.”
Breaking the Stigma for Men:
“Men are often too proud for our own good,” Luthan reflects. “We don’t want to be seen as weak, so we bottle things up. But talking about mental health helps break that stigma, it reminds us that it’s an illness, and there’s plenty of help out there.”
Advice for Anyone Struggling:
Luthan's advice is simple but powerful: “Speak to someone. Start the conversation with someone you trust. Mental Health First Aiders and professionals are bound by confidentiality and even one good conversation can make a huge difference.”
A Word of Thanks:
We’d like to thank Luthan for stepping up into this role. It takes commitment, empathy, and a genuine care for others to become an MHFAider, and we know he’ll bring all of that (and more) to XLFC.
Together, we’re proving that football can change lives, not just through fitness and weight loss, but by building a stronger, healthier, and more supportive community.
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