Rochdale AFC supporting World Mental Health Day 2017

Members from the football sessions attended Rochdale v Rotherham United at the Crown Oil Arena

Rochdale AFC has worked closely with Rochdale and District Mind, a local charity which has been been providing mental health services for people living in the Borough of Rochdale for over 25 years. 

Rochdale Mind and the Community Mental Health Team football group meet at Rochdale Soccer Factory every Tuesday and Thursday and the Dale in the Community Sports Trust provides a coach.

All members of the group have mental health issues which can make them feel extremely unwell both mentally and physically. Many will be on medication with side effects that can significantly impact on their lives, yet they overcome these huge obstacles to attend the group.

The football team is raising the awareness of the significant part football and other sports can have in tackling mental health issues and physical inactivity.

The group’s profile and the project is helping to tackle stigma and discrimination within all levels of the game and other sports, enabling football players and other sports people at all levels to talk more openly about their mental health.

Individuals making up the team have received significant benefits from attending the group, including improved mental, physical and social health; confidence; self-esteem; life skills; resilience; referrals onto other groups and courses; supporting and signposting others’ in the community with mental wellbeing issues.

Two original members of the group have progressed to become the group volunteers, welcoming and supporting people to take part.

Melanie Tilley, from Rochdale and District Mind, said: “The football group are all delighted that Rochdale AFC have taken an interest in them and what they are achieving. It has been a massive boost to their confidence and self-esteem.

"Dan, the coach, has become a valued and respected member of the team and provides essential football skills to this diverse group.”

Dale were delighted to welcome members from the sessions to the match against Rotherham United at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday.

One in four adults and one in ten children are likely to have a mental health problem in any given year. This can have a profound impact on the lives of tens of millions of people in the UK, affecting their ability to sustain relationships, work, or just get through the day.