A special, personalised infographic is aiming to raise awareness throughout grassroots football of the mental health and wellbeing services available both online and offline.

Teams, leagues and organisations are customising a ‘Mental Health Awareness in Football’ PDF-based graphic which is available to download below, featuring contact details for many organisations providing crucial support, including the Samaritans and Mind.

Our infographic further builds on FA guidance to coaches and managers working across the adult football pyramid, advising them on how to support the mental wellbeing of their players. It allows clubs to add their name and pledge to join us 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, Essex County FA Inclusion Officer, explained: “Many clubs have displayed the infographic already on social media, which is really encouraging. It’s great to witness grassroots football coming together. 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.”

An existing FA guide has also been produced in partnership with Mind and a mental health advisory group. The 36-page publication forms an important part of The FA and Heads Together’s ‘Heads Up’ campaign, which seeks to harness the influence and popularity of football to drive the biggest ever conversation on mental health.

In addition to information and advice on mental health and wellbeing, the guidance notes have been created to help coaches and managers spot the signs of problems, predominantly amongst male players. It gives them the confidence to support, as well as signposts to specialist help where necessary, including Heads Up’s charity partners and a 24/7 text support service.

Please download the ‘Mental Health Awareness in Football Infographic’ below and add your club’s name. Then post it on Twitter (tagging @EssexCountyFA) and on other social media. For more details on Heads Up, and to download the new FA guide, please follow this link.