World Mental Health Day is marked every year on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health around the world. The theme of 2022's World Mental Health Day is 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority'.
Mental health problems exist in our lives, families, workplaces and communities, impacting everyone.
At Millwall Community Trust (MCT) we run different programmes to try and tackle the mental health issues within the local community, by giving a safe environment for people to come together, speak openly, and bond over their love of football.
Sean Daly, MCT CEO, said: “Our mental health is extremely important. It’s something we all need to look after and make a global priority. At MCT we do what we can to be part of the solution. Our programmes have been able to make that positive impact in people’s lives and mental health, and I would encourage everyone to participate in them.
If you’re interested in joining a mental health programme at MCT, please see below for more information.
Head In the Game
'Head In the Game' is a community based mental health & wellbeing service aimed at bringing men together to talk by attending weekly football sessions. The sessions are free and run at various venues across the UK. Each session consists of two football drills, a short sided match and a talking therapy session.
Their aims:
01 - Tackle the stigma of talking openly about men’s mental health
02 - Promote positive physical and mental wellbeing
03 - Reduce the strain on frontline services (doctors, hospitals, A&E departments) by engaging with men at the earliest level of intervention
04 - To improve health, increase confidence and self-esteem whilst reducing social isolation
05 - To raise awareness and help lower the UK suicide rates in men
06 - To create open and welcoming atmospheres where personal issues can be raised and discussed in a safe and secure environment
07 - To promote diversity and inclusion. They’re more than just words for us.
Diversity and inclusion are the principles guiding how we build our delivery teams, cultivate our ambassadors, and create a mental health and well-being service that’s the right fit for every person inside of it.
Date: Every Sunday
Time: 8pm – 9pm
Venue: Lewisham Lions Centre, SE16 3LD
PAN Disability Sessions
Our Pan Disability programme is open to anyone with a disability and allows individuals to gain a positive experience from football whilst promoting a positive attitude. Our personal approach to coaching this allows individuals to feel part of a collective team whilst striving and completing significant goals.
Date: Every Friday
Time: 5pm - 6pm
Age: 8 - 11
Venue: Lewisham Lions Centre, SE16 3LD
Date: Every Friday
Time: 6pm - 7pm
Age: 12 - 17
Venue: Lewisham Lions Centre, SE16 3LD
Date: Every Friday
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Age: 18+
Venue: Lewisham Lions Centre, SE16 3LD
Adult Mental Health Programme
Our Adult Mental Health programme welcomes anyone with mental health issues to get involved with our free weekly football sessions which help improve fitness and well-being, and work as part of a team alongside those who face similar challenges.
We run weekly afternoon football sessions in partnership with the South London and Maudsley (SLAM) and MIND. Participants must be referred before attending the sessions.
