To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, League Football Education has joined UK football governing bodies and leagues to reaffirm the collective long-term commitment in making football a ‘mentally healthy’ environment for all.
The UK football family has collaborated on a Mentally Healthy Football Declaration Report that shares examples of the work being done to positive impact mental health for participants and fans. The report, which contains input from the LFE and the wider football family, aswell as a case study highlighting the impact of our Alumni Player Voice initiative, is available to view here.
The football family, along with the Royal Foundation, recognises that mental health is as important as physical health. That’s why, as football moves forward during this unprecedented time, we are uniting to commit to making mental health and fitness a key priority within football’s agenda in all affiliated clubs and organisations across the UK, now and for future generations. Football is coming together to encourage the nation to keep up the conversation on mental health.
Commenting on the report, HRH The Duke of Cambridge said: “Following the success of the Heads Up campaign, I was pleased that two years ago football took on the ambition to build a mentally healthy environment across the whole of the game. Through their signing of the Mentally Healthy Football Declaration, clubs, leagues and footballing organisations across the UK committed to raising the importance of mental fitness for years to come.
“As this report outlines, the football community has collectively made significant strides forward since signing the declaration – whether that is the 10,000 people newly trained in mental health practices, or the needs of hundreds of players now better supported by wellbeing assessments.
“Lasting change takes time to realise, and I’m encouraged that football has come together again to reaffirm its continuing commitment to instilling a mentally healthy culture at all levels, across all four nations. Only by doing this can we ensure a safe, supportive environment for everyone who engages with the game, whether that be in
the changing room, the terraces, or from home.”
