Chris Kamara, who played for the club, is supporting the ‘Here for C.H.R.I.S’ campaign launched by VisitGuernsey in Guernsey, where men can access a trained, judgement-free conversation by simply saying the phrase at participating venues.

Mr Kamara, now a broadcaster and mental health advocate, said: “As a man, it can be hard to open-up and be honest about mental health struggles.

“Sometimes, just knowing where fuss-free support can be sought is what is needed.

“I’d encourage locals and visitors alike to utilise these community hubs and say ‘I’m here for C.H.R.I.S’ – it might just be the first step in targeting the mental health crisis facing men in the UK.”

‘Here for C.H.R.I.S’ is part of VisitGuernsey’s wider ‘No Man is an Island’ campaign.

Research commissioned by VisitGuernsey found that over a quarter of men across the UK are hesitant to discuss their mental health with family or friends, fearing that their loved ones won’t be able to support them.

One in five men also hide away from these key conversations, with a third (35 per cent) trying and failing to start a conversation for fear of not knowing how or when to approach the topic.

The new research highlights that three in ten men agree that having a safe, discreet space away from their usual environment, such as when on holiday, would make opening a conversation and asking for support much easier.

Sam Claxton, marketing manager at VisitGuernsey, said: “It’s been fantastic working with and learning from Guernsey Mind on this initiative as we understand that the issue of increasing mental health challenges is not going anywhere.

“As an island escape less than 50 minutes from London, we see a variety of travellers landing on our doorstep, many of whom are seeking a break from busy, city life.”

The ‘Here for C.H.R.I.S’ scheme designates hotels, shops, restaurants, sports clubs, and barbers as safe spaces for men to ask for support.

Staff at these locations receive basic men’s mental health awareness training and have volunteered to have a judgement-free, reassuring conversation before pointing individuals in the direction of official resources and specialist mental health support such as registered charity, Guernsey Mind.

Venues also display flyers and QR codes linking to Guernsey Mind’s resource hub.