It's OK not to be OK

Encouraging people to talk more about Mental Health

Heads Up is a partnership between The FA and Heads Together that harnesses the influence and popularity of football to change the conversation on mental health. The goal of the Heads Up campaign is to normalise the discussion of mental health issues and dispel the stigma that often surrounds them.

We’re all facing different challenges, stresses and pressures, but it’s important to remember that whatever you’re going through and however it’s making you feel, it’s okay to talk about it. This can often be an important first step in helping you feel better.

The FA’s charity partners and other mental health charities in the UK are here for you and ready to give you the support and guidance you might need.

However, if you need more urgent help, Crisis Messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK - text HeadsUp to 85258.

How Football Can Make a Positive Impact

We believe that playing football is not only great for physical health and fitness, but it can also improve mental wellbeing. Everyone has a level of mental health, exactly as they do their physical health and we think that it’s time for everyone to pay as much attention to their mental fitness as their physical fitness.

Those involved in football are in an excellent position to help maintain and improve their own and others mental health and are probably already doing this without knowing it. That’s because we know being active has a positive impact on mental health. Mental health is also better when you have a support network around you such as friends, colleagues and teammates – which football provides.

One in four adults in England will experience a mental health problem every year. That means approximately four million people within the football community may experience mental health problems in the next 12 months. In turn, it also means if we can improve the mental health of the football community we will be significantly contributing to the mental health of the nation.

The FA’s have produced guidance for Coaches of Adult teams on how to support the mental well-being of their players and also for Referees which can be downloaded below.

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