Queen Máxima discusses mental health with footballers

Many men find it difficult to talk openly about their feelings and vulnerabilities. Almost 40 per cent of Dutch men experience feelings of anxiety or depression. Yet men are often less likely to talk about their struggles, partly because of the pressure to remain strong and avoid showing emotion.

Through personal stories, a documentary, workshops and the unifying power of football, the initiative encourages men to speak more openly about their mental health. The documentary provides a starting point for conversations in stadiums, dressing rooms, schools and other settings.

Since its launch in February, the campaign has grown into a nationwide movement reaching millions of people. The Cinetree documentary Real Men Don’t Cry has been watched hundreds of thousands of times and has inspired hundreds of conversations, screenings and workshops.

Through the associated Together for Vulnerability campaign, clubs from the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch professional football, and the First Division, the second tier, have brought the subject to the attention of millions of people in stadiums, on matchdays and through national television coverage.

The movement will continue over the coming months, with more than 200 workshops planned at professional and amateur football clubs. Schools, businesses, student associations, festivals and prisons are also using the documentary and specially developed educational materials to start conversations about mental health. The workshops are aimed at players, young people and those around them, with the goal of supporting mental wellbeing by encouraging open conversations about vulnerability and mental resilience. 

Hanna Verboom, Founder of Cinetree: “Queen Máxima’s visit is a great honour and an encouragement to continue building this movement. By bringing together the power of film, football and people with lived experience, we are showing that vulnerability can be a tremendous source of strength. This is only the beginning. We hope to break down taboos and help bring about lasting cultural change.”

Aukje Geubbels, CSR Manager at the Eredivisie and First Division: “Our clubs bring millions of people together, creating communities where people feel connected and belong. When role models speak openly about their own challenges, it helps others recognise their experiences and feel more comfortable starting the conversation. Together with clubs, players and partners, we are harnessing the power of football to break the stigma around mental health and show that no one has to face their struggles alone.”

Queen Máxima’s working visit highlights the importance of this collective effort and the role that professional football, film and culture can play in encouraging open conversations about mental health.

The nationwide movement is an initiative of Cinetree and the Play Mental Foundation, with support from the Friends Lottery, BrabantSport Fund, the Eredivisie and First Division. Together with football clubs, schools, community organisations and other partners, they are working towards a culture in which men feel more comfortable talking openly about what they are going through.