‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’: A Qualitative Sequential Multimethod Study of Football-Based Bereavement Support for Men Who Have Experienced Baby Loss

BackgroundDespite men demonstrating high levels of grief and mental health difficulties after baby loss, support services predominantly focus on women. There is little known about the role of sport, football and targeted peer support for men who have experienced baby loss.AimTo examine men’s experiences of accessing football-based baby loss bereavement support and the self-reported impact of the sessions on men’s grief and mental health. This project was designed with three men who have experienced baby loss.MethodsThe study used a sequential QUAL–qual multimethod exploratory design. An online anonymous qualitative survey was distributed to all men who had attended a football session. A group discussion then considered the findings from the survey to add further depth to our understanding. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Consent was obtained from all participants. Staff with mental health training were present during the discussion.FindingsTwenty-one survey responses were received, and 11 men participated in the group discussion. Participants reported the limited targeted support available for men after baby loss, and that the football sessions provided a safe space to talk with other men who had a shared journey and experiences and that the football focus helped break down barriers and challenge the myths surrounding men and grief. The football-based sessions were described as life-changing and life-saving.DiscussionThe study highlights the need to dispel myths surrounding men’s grief after baby loss and emphasises the importance of football-based bereavement support in addressing men’s mental health.