VIDEO: Harry Toffolo & Andy Rowland talk about mental health and footballers

Swindon Viewpoint community television has been working with Swindon Town on-loan player Harry Toffolo, after he expressed an interest in doing community work.

In their latest venture Harry, one of the club's youngest players, has made two videos with town star Andy Rowland who appeared 287 times for the club between 1978 and 1986

In the first video they talk openly about the positive state of the game in Swindon. In the second they discuss how players cope with their own mental health issues and when it occurs in families and amongst friends.

Harry talks movingly about the impact of his grandfather's dementia, how he coped with the illness of a close aunt, and how he had to say strong for other members of his family.

Andy now works with Swindon MIND and they discuss how difficult it is for people to realise and respond to mental health in themselves and others around them. Harry acknowledges the privileged position he has as a professional sportsman and the positive differences he and others can have in promoting mental health issues to the 8,000 fans who attend games at the County Ground.

Andy, referring to his own period of mental illness, said he only realised fully how much help the fans and the general public gave him as he recovered. "I got so much encouragement from the supporters; it really felt how important it was to get back in shape," he said.

Harry emphasises the importance of giving the helping hand of time to help a mate. He said: "A few of the boys in the team by how much they do for local charities; it's really nice to see how much they're involved."

See Harry and Andy talking about mental health and how much more can be done to help other at Swindon Viewpoint.

To see Harry and Andy talking about Swindon Town's showing earlier in the season, and Harry's career aspirations, Watch Swindon Viewpoint for the full video

Watch Harry being interviewed by youngsters at Lydiard Park Academy.