Grassroots football clubs are being urged to raise awareness of, and break the stigma around, mental health by displaying a bespoke ‘Mental Health Awareness in Football’ poster in their clubhouses and on their social media accounts.
The poster, which has been made available to download by Essex County FA, features contact details for many supportive organisations, including the Samaritans and Mind.
The editable PDF file allows clubs to add their name to the poster and pledge to join the County FA in highlighting that sport can play a huge role in tackling stigma and its effects by:
- breaking down boundaries between people with and without mental health problems
- creating social integrations and boosting self-confidence
- tackling physical health inequalities
Cindi Chatha is Essex County FA Development Officer, and her aim is for the poster to be shared as widely as possible.
She explained: “We want to see the poster displayed inside every clubhouse in the county to raise awareness of the support available to anyone who might need it.
“Grassroots football has some very strong communities who can break a taboo and make it easier to talk to friends and team mates about mental wellbeing.”
Clubs across the county are being encouraged to download the ‘Mental Health Awareness in Football Poster’ (shown right) by accessing the link below, add their club’s name and then place it up on noticeboards, whilst also sharing it on Twitter (tagging @EssexCountyFA) and other social media channels.
