IFA totackle Mental Health

THE Irish FA will be holding its first Mental Health Conference, ‘Tackling Mental Health through Football’, in the Farset International Centre, Belfast, on Wednesday, October 9, at 6.30pm.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Aug 2013, 17:33 BST
Geoff Wilson, Irish FA Head of Marketing and Communications and Amy Pepper, a Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer at the Public Health Agency pictured at the launch of the Irish FA Health Booklet and App.Geoff Wilson, Irish FA Head of Marketing and Communications and Amy Pepper, a Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer at the Public Health Agency pictured at the launch of the Irish FA Health Booklet and App.
Geoff Wilson, Irish FA Head of Marketing and Communications and Amy Pepper, a Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer at the Public Health Agency pictured at the launch of the Irish FA Health Booklet and App.

The conference is aimed at football managers, coaches and players from all levels from amateur to elite.

The aim of the conference is to address suicide, self-harm and depression and how to tackle these problems that can affect so many people within our society.

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The programme also focuses on issues such as such as smoking, drugs and alcohol misuse and how they can be detrimental to sporting performance.

The conference seeks to educate all members of the football community within Northern Ireland, providing advice and to highlight support which is available including Lifeline 0808 808 8000 for people who are in distress or despair, and www.mindingyourhead.info for advice on looking after your mental health.

The Mental Health Conference will highlight the signs of mental health issues and how to spot them and advises players on how to make more informed choices.

Irish FA Head of Marketing and Communications, Geoff Wilson said: “The Public Health Agency goes to great lengths to tackle mental health problems such as stress, depression and suicide in Northern Ireland.

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“The Irish FA believes that football can be used as a way to produce shared learning on the topic of mental health awareness. Attendees can register at www.irishfa.com/conference.”

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: “One in four people here in the north will experience mental health problems – but it is very often a taboo subject.

“This conference will give us all the opportunity to think about our mental health and most importantly to use football and sport to help address the issue.”

To register for the conference go to www.irishfa.com/conference.

Related topics:BelfastNorthern Ireland