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A soccer shirt can also become a platform for raising awareness of mental health. AC Milan will do so again in the Europa League, with players wearing The Madhappy Foundation logos on the backs of their shirts. The campaign, launched in collaboration with Fondazione Milan and UEFA Take Care, aims to promote awareness about psychological distress, particularly among young people. The message was previously promoted during the match against Benfica and will be highlighted again in tonight’s match, taking advantage of the competition’s international reach. The idea is to intervene before anxiety turns into a crisis. "The desire to shift paradigm: not address the issue only when distress becomes a crisis, but act earlier, promoting awareness, self-confidence, positive relationships, and a sense of belonging from a young age", states the club in the project's announcement. "This is where sport can play a concrete role, creating safe spaces and opportunities to develop and strengthen these skills". The campaign is part of a process started by Fondazione Milan in 2003 through social projects in Italy and abroad. Over the last two decades, it has allocated more than 13 million euros to initiatives that have helped over 200,000 individuals, with a particular emphasis on young people and vulnerable groups.
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