Several programmes and interventions are in place to tackle mental health issues that can affect those involved in football across Northern Ireland.
The Irish FA Foundation’s Ahead of the Game programme is among the initiatives.
It was first rolled out in May 2018 and supports the football family when dealing with mental health issues and continues to be strongly embraced by clubs, coaches, players and volunteers across Northern Ireland.
And stakeholders across the game, including the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) and the Players’ Football Association Northern Ireland (PFA NI), are also working hard to raise awareness, improve understanding and increase confidence in talking about the issue.
Last season 61 clubs took part in Ahead of the Game workshops, which focus on removing the stigma surrounding mental health issues and preventative measures – and stress the importance of conversations within clubs and between individuals.
There were 689 attendees, including 181 females. The previous season (2022-23) there were over 400 attendees and the season before that there were around 300 attendees.
The programme was relaunched in October with the introduction of a module designed for young people aged 11-18, and around 250 young people have received mental health awareness training and signposting since then. A separate module for adults continues to be delivered as part of the programme.
Tom Magee, a mental health consultant who helps to deliver the modules, said: “Through the Ahead of the Game programme we want to inform coaches, parents and players about what mental health is and the importance of looking after our mental health and promoting positive mental health through the game of football.
“It’s about giving everyone that baseline knowledge and awareness of mental health and how to support themselves. It’s about prevention before we have to get to intervention.”
As part of the initiative a network of Mental Health Champions has been established across Northern Ireland.
Ahead of the Game is run by the Irish FA Foundation in partnership with the TAMHI (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues), Inspire and Sports Chaplaincy charities and provides signposting to a range of mental health support organisations.
The Foundation believes it is important to raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health as they can affect anyone, including those in the football family.
James Thompson, Director of Foundation at the Irish FA, said: “Tackling mental health is incumbent on us all. At the Irish FA Foundation we are proud to oversee this programme which continues to make such an impact.
“Fostering good mental health is everyone’s responsibility and it is something we take very seriously.”
The programme is also part of wider outreach work by the Irish Football Association/Irish FA Foundation which now also includes a support group for players. Established in October, the group involves Irish League players and the Irish FA and is tackling issues such as gambling addiction and mental health.
Another body critical to this work, PFA NI, is also working closely with Sports Chaplaincy to ensure its work is integrated into each club alongside mentors providing a direct line back to PFA NI signalling where support is required.
This season NIFL has also kicked off a charity partnership with Action Mental Health (AMH), which hosted the Charity Shield in the summer, with supporters raising vital funds towards the ongoing work of AMH.
And the partnership was to the fore in the league’s Statement Shirts campaign, in which all NIFL clubs donned retro shirts to start the conversation on mental health.
For further information about some of these mental health initiatives please visit irishfa.com/aheadofthegame and/or pfani.com. You can also find out more about Ahead of the Game by clicking here.
Image: Irish FA Director of Foundation James Thompson at the relaunch of the Irish FA Foundation’s Ahead of the Game programme.
