Staffordshire Football Association is keen to ensure that everyone involved in grassroots football across the county is aware of the importance of mental health, and importantly, the support networks available to any individual or organisation affected 

The Association is currently working closely with a number of local organisations – including professional clubs community trusts, mental health charities, and grassroots football clubs who have been affected by mental health issues – to raise awareness of mental health and the support network which is available across Staffordshire.

This is an area of work which is continually developing and we will continue to ensure that the information provided is regularly updated as that support network develops, but in the meantime please find below information on the support networks and local case studies across Staffordshire. 

Why is mental health important for people involved in grassroots football?

Mental health problems are extremely common. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any one year, and over 10% of people have depression at any one time. When players have a physical injury like a broken leg, clubs can’t do much except for wait for it to heal. Mental health problems are harder to see. But the way that coaches and team-mates behave can make things much better or worse – so it’s important for clubs and coaches to have an awareness of mental health.

What support networks are available?

Please find below a number of links to national organisations who provide support to individuals and organisations who are affected by mental health issues. Staffordshire FA is working closely with various local organisations to develop a bespoke list of organisations throughout the County. This is very much a piece of work in progress and this page will be regularly updated as those conversations develop – but in the meantime please also find attached to this web page local information provided by North Staffs Mind (support services in North Staffordshire).

Organisation	Website
Brighter Futures	www.brighter-futures.org.uk
CALM	www.thecalmzone.net
Childline	www.childline.org.uk
Mind	www.mind.org.uk
Men Unite	www.menunite.org
NHS Choices	www.nhs.uk
Papyrus	www.papyrus-uk.org
Rethink Mental Illness	www.rethink.org
Samaritans	www.samaritans.org
Young Minds	www.youngminds.org.uk
Young Minds' Parents Helpline	www.youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-helpline
Youth Access Directory of Services	www.youthaccess.org.uk/services/find-your-local-service
Youth Wellbeing Directory	www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/youth-wellbeing

What activity is taking place locally to support Mental Health? 

Please find below information on football sessions being delivered locally by professional clubs' community trusts, along with sessions being delivered by ourselves at Staffordshire FA.

• Burton Albion Community Trust
‘Head for Goal’
Every Tuesday, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
@ Burton Albion Community Trust Football Centre

Head for Goal

Mental Health Charter

• Port Vale Foundation
‘Head for Goal’
Every Tuesday, 3.00pm – 5.00pm
@ Port Vale Football Club

Mind Charity

• Stoke City Community Trust
‘It’s a Goal’
Every Thursday, 2.00pm – 4.00pm (NHS intervention)
@ bet365 Stadium
Every Friday, 3.00pm – 4.30pm (Football session)
@ Stoke City Dome

IT'S A GOAL

• Staffordshire FA
Staffordshire FA will be hosting a mental wellbeing tournament on Saturday 18 May 2019 from 12.00pm-4.00pm at Penkridge Leisure Centre, Stafford. Every group/organisation in the county that are currently holding their own mental wellbeing football sessions have been invited to participate in the competition. The tournament will consist of a 6-a-side round-robin format where each team will get the chance to play each other. The tournament comes at the end of the national Mental Health Awareness Week.

Raising awareness – local and national stories

Please find below links to some very powerful case study stories, both locally and nationally, which help to raise awareness of this important subject across the football community. 

STOKE CITY FC

THE FA

BBC SPORT 

There is also a document below that can be downloaded to find a wide range of support services in Staffordshire should you need them. 

DOWNLOAD HERE

OTHER RESOURSES AVAILABLE

Callum’s Destiny

A confidential place to be for friends and family aged 18 plus who have been affected by suicide

“Be excellent to each other” – Jackson Cummings

A confidential place to be for men aged 18 plus. 

HEADS UP

The highly anticipated FA Community Shield supported by McDonald’s between Liverpool and Manchester City will kick-off the Heads Up campaign and a season of activities aimed at driving the biggest ever conversation on mental health.

To read more, CLICK HERE