Joe Nickel Project Manager Football and MH action group

Football and MH action group The project Why football and mental health? What is the project going to achieve? How is it going to do this? How can – how should! – your clubs get involved?

Football and MH action group: partnership Kick It Out Premier League Football Foundation League Managers Assoc. Mental Heath Foundation The FA PFA Time to Change Sporting Chance Clinic Football League Trust Football clubs

Mental health problems – physical impacts People with mental health problems are likely to have: 2-4 times greater risk of cardiovascular disease 2-4 times greater risk of respiratory disease 5 times greater risk of diabetes Life expectancy for a person with schizophrenia - potentially 10 years less - due to poorer physical health

Physical activity – mental results “Physical activity is effective in the treatment of clinical depression, and can be as successful as psychotherapy or medication, particularly in the long term.” Chief Medical Officer [Details at the Mental Health Foundation website:

What does the project want to achieve? Social contact – challenge stigma and discrimination in football

How is the project going to achieve this? Best practice Grassroots education Football events PR & campaigning

Best practice Simple guide for (new) MH projects Using experience of existing, established projects Aims: Help new projects get established and become effective Hosted on The FA website Launched in next 3 months

Grassroots education Short MH awareness courses Delivered to mainstream, grassroots coaches Trainers have: – Passion for grassroots sport – Experience of coaching or training – Experience of MH problems: SOCIAL CONTACT Aim: Train 1,250 coaches by end July

Football events One-off events at each PL club Mini-tournament, short sided pitches Possibly skills coaching? Coaches, officials, players – all a mix of people with and without MH problems: SOCIAL CONTACT Encouraging long-term integration into mainstream, grassroots clubs June / July

PR & campaigning Using football structures and organisations – clubs, The FA, Kick It Out Build on campaigning work of IYGs projects Key tool – video: SOCIAL CONTACT Joe and Keith to follow up with Press / PR depts

What do I need from PL clubs? 1)Coaches’ MH awareness training: –Rooms (and DATES!) –Promotion with IYGs participants – as trainers? 2)Football activity days: SUPPORT: –Venues (and DATES!) –Branding – use club name –Promotion with IYGs participants 3)Campaigning: Support with your Press / PR dept

What do I need from PL clubs - NOW? 1)Coaches’ MH awareness training: –Rooms (and DATES!) –Promotion with IYGs participants – as trainers? 2)Football activity days: SUPPORT: –Venues (and DATES!) –Branding – use club name –Promotion with 3)Campaigning: Support with your Press / PR dept

What do I need from PL clubs - NOW? 1)Coaches’ MH awareness training: –Rooms (and DATES!) –Promotion with IYGs participants – as trainers? 2)Football activity days: SUPPORT: –Venues (and DATES!) –Branding – use club name –Promotion with 3)Campaigning: Support with your Press / PR dept