The Scottish FA has united with leaders of the football family to sign a joint Declaration committing to make mental health a key priority at all levels of the game, as a lasting legacy of the Heads Up campaign.
The ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ Declaration will see governing bodies, leagues and organisations from across UK football recognising that mental health is as important as physical health, and pioneering a ‘team approach’ on this important issue. Together, the UK football family will build on the important work that clubs and football organisations are already doing, working together to scale up these efforts across the football system and support the development of ‘mentally healthy clubs’ at every level of the game.
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell joined the the Duke of Cambridge and leaders from across UK football on a video call to unite and sign the Declaration, with Scotland captain Andy Robertson and SWNT midfielder Kim Little also pledging their support in a short film showcasing the widespread support following the Heads Up campaign.
Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive of Scottish FA: “The Scottish FA has long supported mental health projects and today’s declaration is a crucial step in following on from the positive work of the Heads Up campaign.
“The awareness raised within the game and across the nation over the course of the football season has gone a long way to breaking the stigma around mental wellbeing. We are proud to work together with our fellow National Associations in signing this declaration, as we all work to build a mentally healthy culture within football and society as a whole.”
In the video marking the signing of the Mentally Healthy Football Declaration, The Duke of Cambridge said: ‘Not only will [the Declaration] benefit future generations who work and play within the game, but it will also send a clear message to football’s millions of fans about the importance of mental health. That is a legacy we can all be proud of – following a season we will never forget.’
Following an unprecedented season for football, mental health issues are more relevant than ever. Through the Declaration, which was convened by The Royal Foundation, football has committed to working together to continue raising awareness of mental health, and to embed an environment across UK football:
• Where players, staff, managers and officials are encouraged to look after their mental health just as they look after their physical health;
• where they feel able to spot the signs that they, a team-mate or colleague might be struggling and know where to access support;
• and where speaking out about mental health is seen as a sign of strength rather than weakness.
The landmark Declaration has been signed by CEOs and Chairs from across football, and the Scottish FA joined the FA, the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL), the FA Wales, the Irish FA, League Managers Association (LMA), Professional Footballers Association (PFA), Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), League Football Education (LFE), The Barclays FA Women’s Super League, The FA Women’s Championship, The FA Women’s National League, The National League, The Northern Premier League, The Southern League and The Isthmian League.
In the Declaration, they say: “Now, more than ever, is the time for us to support each other and for all parts of society to prioritise mental health. We will do everything we can to play our part in this and help make football a ‘mentally healthy’ environment, now and in the future.”
These organisations will form a UK-wide mental health implementation group next season, working towards a collective ‘game plan’ for the first time to ensure the mental health of players, staff, managers, coaches and officials is prioritised across the game. Together, the group will share best practice and drive progress towards the pledges in the declaration, which include rolling out mental health training and education to all clubs, implementing mental health strategies, and embedding mental health within policies and practices.
The Declaration has been welcomed by Heads Up’s charity partners Mind, CALM and Sporting Chance, who provided insight and expertise and will continue to work with the signatories next season as they take the commitments forward.
Godric Smith, Chair of the Heads Up campaign: “There has been fantastic leadership from every part of football on mental health this season and today’s declaration cements the huge culture change underway in the game. It is a first of its kind and an important moment for sport and society more widely. It comes at a time when prioritising our mental health and supporting each other has never mattered more.”