The FA have been using football as a way of combating mental health issues with a two-day 'Mad About Football' event featuring ex-internationals Tony Adams and Jeff Whitley, plus Phil Hope MP, in Manchester this week.
The event followed last Friday’s World Mental Health Day and kicked off with a 32 team five-a-side tournament at Manchester Central Power League where ex-England skipper, Tony Adams and Phil Hope MP, Minister of State for Care Services, were special guests.
Clubs from across the country, including Durham and Cornwall, took part in the tournament which was the first ever national football competition for players with mental health issues.
Two hometown sides contested the final with Manchester Grassroots edging out Manchester Early Intervention to be crowned champions of the event, which was also supported by The PFA, Sporting Chance and government mental health initiative, Shift.
Erewash Valley Valiants from Derbyshire scooped The FA Fair Play Award.
One of the competing clubs was Manchester’s New Way Forward and spokesperson John McNeill commented: "The players really enjoyed themselves and it was fantastic to see how proud they were after the games.
"It is incredible to see the impact a tournament like this can have on people who not so long ago had very little hope."
Presenting the trophies was Portsmouth first-team coach Tony Adams, who was representing Sporting Chance. He said: "Mental health is not talked about in football and it’s hard for professional sportsmen and women to admit they aren’t coping and there is little help around even if they do.
"It’s not just sportsmen and women who are affected by these problems, it’s society as a whole. These types of behaviour are social problems and need to be discussed openly."
Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services, added: "There is increasing evidence to show that playing football can reduce isolation, improve physical and mental health and start to beat the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health.
"'Mad About Football' shows the dedication and commitment people with mental health problems and their coaches from all over the country have to playing football as a means to improving their physical and mental well-being."
The second day of the 'Mad About Football' event was a Conference chaired by Ray Stubbs at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Speaking at the Conference was ex-Manchester City and Northern Ireland star Jeff Whitley, while Stan Collymore also contributed with a DVD interview which was played on the big screen to delegates.
Also speaking at the Conference were Professor Louis Appleby, the government’s National Mental Health Tsar and Dr Alan Pringle, the holder of the world’s only PhD in mental health and football.
Contributing to the debate were The FA’s Lucy Faulkner and Jeff Davis and FA Chairman Lord Triesman commented: "The impact of football on health and well-being is well recognised.
"The FA is committed to working with the Department of Health and other partners to help tackle the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health, as well as encouraging active participation in the game by those affected by mental health issues."
