What is State of Mind and Manchester County FA?
State of Mind Sport promotes positive mental health among sportsmen and women, fans and wider communities, with the ultimate aim to prevent suicide. The charity works to raise awareness on the issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing and deliver education on the subject to sport, business, and education and community groups across all levels. We signpost individuals to where they can receive care and support in their area.
Manchester County Football Association (MCFA) is the guardian of our national game in Greater Manchester. Responsible for efficiently governing and developing the local game, MCFA strives to positively influence participation for all in football regardless of age, ability, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion and socio-economic status. This is achieved through developing programmes and opportunities for all to participate in the national game through close alignment with our governing body - the FA - via the delivery of the FA National Game Strategy.
Why is tackling the stigma around mental health important to you?
State of Mind Sport is working alongside MCFA to promote an increased awareness of mental fitness, wellbeing and resilience in players, fans and communities. Together we tackle the stigma around mental health by focusing on joint education sessions to signpost people to support, encourage early access to help and ultimately prevent suicide. We keep our information simple using mental fitness cards with tips to stay mentally fit, provide a joint website with information that is both local and national and a 24-hour help and support line. A group of former high profile players and referees with experience of mental health ranging from depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance misuse and gambling issues use their personal stories to educate and encourage people to talk about how they feel and access support if they need it. We think this has helped to promote positive public health messages using diverse role models and ambassadors to reduce the stigma attached to mental health problems. Challenging the stigma can change and save lives and is a crucial element of our partnership working.
Helen Murphy, County Welfare Officer at MCFA commented: “I believe that sport is a great vehicle to address and discuss difficult subjects such as mental health and mental wellbeing. Grassroots football provides a sense of community and is a support mechanism for all those involved.” Through the pilot programme Manchester FA and State of Mind Sport have been able to increase awareness of mental health in the Greater Manchester area.
How did you come to work together?
Helen attended a State of Mind session in Oldham (Waterhead Rugby League Club) with her son and wondered how MCFA could work together to improve the mental fitness awareness of volunteers who work in local grassroots football clubs. Helen met with Phil Cooper, co-Founder of State of Mind, to discuss how the two organisations could work together to use the power of sport to promote wellbeing and adopt good mental health practice within Manchester County FA.
What are you doing together around mental health and how can people get involved?
State of Mind Sport presented to a Manchester County FA Safeguarding Conference and has also held pilot sessions in grassroots football clubs. Together, State of Mind and MCFA will be evaluating the sessions to identify areas to improve and develop in order to continue to tackle the stigma and discrimination of mental health to make sure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
What are your plans for the next year?
We hope to complete one final session and then evaluate the project and disseminate the findings locally. We would also like to explore the next steps to continue the most effective way to take the agenda forward.
Any links to your websites and further info
http://www.manchesterfa.com/clubs/welfare-and-crbs
http://rugbyleague.stateofmindsport.org/state-of-mind-manchester-fa-2/
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