“What we’re doing as a charity and as a football club isn’t rocket science. It’s simple. We’re encouraging people to make time for themselves.”
Studies have repeatedly shown that participating in physical activity can have a positive impact on our overall mood. But what happens when you take that one step further? BBC Bitesize went to Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road Stadium and spoke to Beder FC, a club that’s raising mental health awareness and creating a safe space for all.
Razzak: People are talking about mental health more and more, which is a positive but sadly it’s been around for a longtime, and I think people only realise when they’re touched by it. But sometimes it doesn’t always reach the wider footballing community or the wider public because they can’t relate that’s what we want to be able to do.
Kim: So Razzak, just talk to me about the impact that football’s had on your life.
Razzak: I started playing football like most at a young age, and it’s an amazing way to make friends, break down barriers and it’s a sport I’ve loved for a long time.
Kim: And you’re an intellectual property lawyer but aside from that you’re also the main man behind Beder FC. Just explain to me why that football club is unique.
Razzak: So we started Beder FC as an opportunity to bring people together through the power of football, raising awareness for our mental health and suicide prevention, but create a community of like-minded people and using football to do that.
Kim: So what’s it been like seeing the impact of Beder FC on individuals and the football community as a whole?
Razzak: So since starting Beder FC it’s been an amazing journey, when we started I called it a football club rather than a football team as a football team is transient whereas a football club’s permanent. That’s really what I wanted to get about and give people that feeling, and since doing it people have really bought into what we’re doing, we play once a month, it's open to all men and women, and then on a broader perspective we’ve been met with a lot of support from the footballing community, obviously we’re here today at QPR and they’ve been a great supporter of ours, and that’s what we’re here to do is provide a platform for everyone to play their part in raising awareness.
Kim: Yeah I think that’s amazing as well and even though you are a Fulham fan and we’re sat here at QPR, like you say it’s amazing how the footballing world has come together to really support this.
Razzak: It is you know, football obviously have their divides of who supports what club but what we’re trying to do, and the issues of mental health and suicide prevention, they’re societal wide and that’s what we’re able to see is that we’ve been supported by a whole range of different entities within the football world, and equally been met by a lot of support by players, we have people likeBruno Fernandes, David Beckham, Harry Kane signing the Beder FC shirt and that’s to show their support to the cause and to the football club.
Kim: What would you like the future to hold then, so for Beder FC, if you could look five years ahead from now where would you like to be?
Razzak: I want us to be the leader in the football space helping people open up that conversation, providing support when possible, so would I like to see Beder on the front of a football shirt? Yes please. You know it’s an amazing way to raise awareness.
What is Beder FC all about?
Founded by intellectual property lawyer, Razzak Mirjan, the Beder football club and charity was set up in 2019 with the aim of challenging the stigma surrounding mental health. The club is named in memory of his brother, Beder Mirjan, who took his own life in 2017.
Razzak, a Fulham season ticket holder, told BBC Bitesize: “I started playing football at a young age and it’s an amazing way to make friends and break down barriers. It’s a sport that I’ve loved for a long time.”
The team play on a monthly basis and is open to everyone. Describing Beder FC in a sentence, Razzak called it, “A football club open to all, where it’s about more than just the football.”
The club has provided the opportunity for individuals to get active and meet like-minded people. It offers the chance to focus on both physical and mental self-care, something which Razzak believes we don’t give ourselves enough time to do.
Since setting up the club and charity, Razzak has been met with an influx of support. Sitting in the stands at Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road Stadium, he recalls how the club has been a great supporter of the cause.
“We’ve been a matchday charity for one of their games and they’ve been amazing, wearing our shirts and raising awareness across their socials.
“It’s amazing what you can do when you meet people who care. You can achieve such great things.”
Putting the spotlight on mental health
In 2022, Razzak launched the Beder World Cup Experience, an exhibition that used the tournament to raise awareness around mental health. The event provided a chance to watch the games live, but also for people to participate in panel sessions about wellness.
Part of this experience was the Beder FC Hall of Fame, a collection of signed shirts from football players such as David Beckham, Harry Kane and Jack Grealish, which were up for auction.
The club also attracted headlines in 2021, when Beder FC ambassador and former Premier League footballer, Marvin Sordell, set a world record ahead of World Mental Health Day. In the Beder FC’s signature jersey, Sordell successfully attempted the most football penalties taken in one hour as an individual. He secured the title with a total of 577 penalties, while raising awareness for the club.
Razzak said: “The charity is a huge part of my life. We’ve achieved a lot in a short space of time and it’s incredible special and very rewarding. But it wouldn’t be without the support of so many amazing people, because like anything, you can’t do something like this alone.”
Looking to the future
Regardless of which team you support, the power of football has the ability to unite people and when it comes to mental health, it’s everyone’s game.
Looking to the future, Razzak wants Beder FC to continue challenging perceptions around mental health by reaching people authentically. He hopes that the club can be a leader in the football space, encouraging people to engage in those difficult discussions and providing help where possible.
“The more people trying to do their bit and opening up a conversation the better. That’s what we’re trying to do by taking this unique approach and softly raising awareness through the things that we do.
“It’s giving people that chance to, when they feel ready, talk about it. But realise once you do talk about your mental health that there’s no weakness there and you will be met with support, even though it is difficult to do so sometimes.”
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.
This article was published in February 2023
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