UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Manchester United youth captain Rhys Bennett has urged people to speak openly about mental health as he faces his first Christmas after his father’s death.
When the 22- yea-old learned in October that his father, David, had committed suicide, his world was ever changed.
Bennett, who presently plays for the club’s Under- 21 team and guided United to FA Youth Cup palm in 2022, has faced this terrible event with inconceivable fiber and a distinct thing.
Given that suicide is the leading cause of death for males under 50 in the UK, the center back is committed to spreading mindfulness and encouraging important dialogue, especially during what can be a delicate time of time for numerous.
“The biggest killer in men is men,”
Bennett told the Press Association.
“You find that hard to believe but it is. A situation like this happens and you don’t want there to be a stigma around people talking about how they feel. It doesn’t matter what environment you’re in.”
He continued, expressing his vision for a more open society:
“I want it to get to a point where everybody talks about their feelings. Even if you’re going great in life and things are going well, talk about how you feel.
You’re going to have good days, bad days but letting people know that life is still worth living. There’s a lot of good days are coming and everyone’s here to help anybody who is in that situation speaking out.”
Bennett thought about the tremendous support he has had, which is evidence of the relationships people have.
“You will realise that every single person around you will do anything for you and we’d do anything to have him back. We’d have done anything for him, and I’m sure there’s so many people out there who may have been in the same situation, or they might think something might happen.
Just really reaching out and trying to connect with them on a deeper level so that situation doesn’t happen because it doesn’t need to happen.”
Bennett looked up to his father as a child and learned priceless lessons about perseverance and hard work from a man whose unflinching support helped turn a child who loved football into a professional at United.
The defender openly admits that he “would never be anywhere near where I am today without him” and has shown his sincere appreciation for the club’s, friends’, and family’s support after David’s death.
Bennett hopes to recover from a knee injury and get a loan move in the New Year, possibly to a League One team, driven by a desire to make his father proud.
“It gives you a different perspective and it gives you a purpose,”
the former Stockport and Fleetwood loanee explained.
“As much as what has gone on is a terrible thing, he wouldn’t want that to derail my career and my outlook on life.”
He added:
“It seemed that things got too much for him, but he doesn’t want that for me to just go the other way and then have no motivation, a lack of vision of where I want to end up and the things that I want to achieve.
All he ever wanted for me was to do well, and how proud he was. I’ll keep that with me, and that will spur me on. I think that’s what is motivating me, if anything. You want to do him proud.”
Additionally, Bennett is unwavering in his resolve to assist others in avoiding creating a “permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
He hopes his message resonates widely:
“If it can reach one person, 100 people, whoever it might be – and I won’t know – I’d have peace of mind knowing that it might resonate with somebody and that affected their decision to become more positive and make a change in life.”
His final, heartfelt plea is simple:
“Honestly, just reach out. It doesn’t matter what time of day is, there’s helplines all throughout the evening, all throughout the day, 24 hours. Family, friends. Reach out and connect and speak with people. And be there for people.
Let them know that it doesn’t matter what the time of day is, I’m going to be there for the people that I love and appreciate the most.”
How are Manchester United supporting Bennett and other youth players’ wellbeing?
Manchester United provides devoted good support to Rhys Bennett, including comforting and compassionate leave following his father’s suicide in October 2025, while extending analogous coffers to all young players through partnerships with internal health charities.
The academy offers ongoing cerebral backing, as seen with black armbands and a minute’s silence worn by the U21s during matches; United collaborates with groups like Andy’s Man Club and Talk About It Mate for peer support sessions at Old Trafford.
Programs emphasize open exchanges on internal health, with players like Bennett penetrating remedy without age limits; the club promotes helplines and adaptability training, fostering a culture where youth can bandy grief or pressure openly.
