Welfare

How to support mental health in football

We know that playing football is a great way to support physical health and fitness. Playing football can improve mental health and wellbeing too.

England Football Learning

1 min - Oct 17, 2023

1 in 6 people will have a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression at any given time in the UK*. So there are thousands of people involved in football right now experiencing poor mental health.

*Source: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in England: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

We want clubs to be safe places where people can talk about their mental health. You have an important part to play in creating a positive culture around mental health at your club.

Watch the video to find out more.

Understanding and supporting mental health could save lives. Making a difference can be easier than you might think. In this article, we've provided a one-page module to keep the information you need simple. We'll cover how to:

spot signs of poor mental health
support others
find more specialist support.

Start the module here

Small actions can make a big difference. Just by talking openly and responding positively when players talk about their mental health, you can help to create a supportive environment.

Check out The FA mental health guidance for coaches and managers for more information and support.