Minnesota United is recognizing Mental Health Awareness month throughout May. At Saturday’s game against FC Dallas (May 15 @ 7:00 p.m. CT), MNUFC will celebrate Mental Health Awareness, presented by M Health Fairview, with several in-game elements:
- Mental Health T-shirt, available to purchase at the Black and Blue Team Store, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota
- Green Mental Health ribbon on jersey, worn by players on-field
- Both the Minnesota United and FC Dallas coaching staffs and broadcast teams will sport green ribbon lapel pins — the international symbol for mental health awareness
- L’Etoile du Nord honoree Sue Abderholden, Executive Director of NAMI Minnesota
- M Health Scoreboard Honorary Keeper Kristy Collier, an M Health Fairview-licensed mental health practitioner
- Video board pregame compilation
- LED boards during the game will run phone number and “if you need help” messaging
- Broadcast elements in pregame, halftime and postgame segments and during the game will feature “if you need help” messaging and a pregame player video including Niko Hansen, Jan Gregus and Tyler Miller
- Allianz Field façade will be lit green during halftime, as green is the color used for awareness in mental health
- The roster card — a printed piece distributed as fans enter the stadium — will have “normalize conversations about mental health” messaging inside
Additionally, throughout the month of May, MNUFC will provide resources for mental health and promote the importance of mental wellness.
- Sound of the Loons with Niko Hansen: why he chose NAMI Minnesota as his Man of the Match charity and why speaking on mental health is important to him
- Personal stories from first team players shared on social media
- For the entire month of May, fans are encouraged to round up their purchases as a part of our Register Round Up program at the Black and Blue Team Store to benefit NAMI Minnesota
- eMLS Charity Stream, presented by M Health Fairview: MNUFC eMLS player Brandon Yamane and midfielder Niko Hansen will host a FIFA charity stream with proceeds benefiting NAMI Minnesota
- In an ongoing effort to develop our athletes on and off the field, the MNUFC Youth Development Program will participate in mental health group conversations facilitated by NAMI Minnesota
MNUFC returns to the pitch for its fifth season in MLS. Follow Minnesota United’s social channels and check our website at mnufc.com for regular updates on the club.
