Blue Monday

Today is Blue Monday, a day in which we would like to highlight multiple mental health links to those who may be struggling.

This article includes national links in partnership with the FA as well as local links within Greater Manchester. We have also included some signposting to Mental Health Football Projects within our community, which are having a fantastic impact. IT IS OKAY TO TALK!

Just like Manchester Mind, we wanted to 'dispel the myth' surrounding Blue Monday's origins and focus on the importance of signposting people to the correct places to help support our community. We believe it is important to remind people that depression is a serious condition that can affect people on any day. For more information on blue Monday please refer to this article by Manchester Mind

Sport can play a crucial role when it comes to mental health. It can help people’s recovery; help manage symptoms and improve the quality of people's lives. Whether it’s in mainstream, community football clubs, or in specialised sport and mental health projects, football can deliver massive benefits. There are three crucial ways that football can help:

• Delivering social inclusion
• Helping physical health
• Improving people’s mental health

Find out more, here!

Links from The FA

The FA has multiple partnerships with mental health charities including; Mind, CALM, Heads Together and Sporting Chance with direct links to their channels available. You can also find a mental health handbook and other useful resources, here!

Additionally, there is also guidance available specifically for referees which is available to download: Mental health guidance notes for referees

Links within Manchester

If you are struggling with your mental health and need help locally you can find information and support from the following places.

Greater Manchester Mental Health:

https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk

https://twitter.com/GMMH_NHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

If you need help in a crisis, please call our 24/7 free helpline on 0800 953 0285.

Crisis Cafe at No. 93 Harpurhey:

The Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Crisis Cafe is a new out of hours friendly and supportive space open to anyone in a crisis in Manchester, Bolton, Salford and Trafford, Monday to Friday: 8pm to 1am (including Bank Holidays) Saturday and Sunday: 3pm to 1am.

GMMHCrisisCafe@gmmh.nhs.uk

Call 07778012838 or 0161 271 0339

Please phone ahead before dropping in.

Manchester Mind:

https://www.manchestermind.org

https://twitter.com/ManchesterMind

https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterMind/

https://www.instagram.com/manchester_mind/

Manchester FA links

We are seeing great mental health initiatives and football projects within the Greater Manchester Community which have become an important staple to improving people's lives in the area. If you are interested in getting involved, please visit the links and get in touch with them.

Mental Health Football

https://afcoldham.co.uk/mhf/

https://twitter.com/mhf_oldham

https://www.facebook.com/MentalHealthFootballOldham/

mhfoldham@gmail.com

Manchester Football Therapy:

https://twitter.com/thisismft

https://m.facebook.com/people/Manchester-Football-Therapy/100070516231881/

https://www.instagram.com/manchesterfootballtherapy/

+44 7772 188726

Happy Somedays:

https://happysomedays.co.uk