Mental health league set up

Oct 5 2007

A NEW football league is to be established in Merseyside to help improve mental health in the region and integrate those affected by depression.

The Everton FC-backed scheme, Imagine Your Goals, will fuse mental health teams – not currently included in mainstream leagues – with other community and weekend league players.

The initiative, organised by charity Imagine Mainstream, Mersey Care NHS Trust and other community groups, will be officially launched at a football tournament in Liverpool on World Mental Health Day, October 10.

The charity arm of Everton FC, Everton in the Community (EFITC) will help provide football sessions, coaching and other events for members of the league to take part in.

Chair of the Imagine Your Goals steering group Emma Cornmell said: “We want to not only promote physical and mental health, but also to promote genuine social inclusion through football.

“There is a need for a project of this nature, which creates football opportunities that actively links existing football initiatives. Another major aspect of this project is to actively tackle stigma associated with mental ill health.

“This will mean establishing a league for the Merseyside area which bridges the historic gap between exclusive mental health teams and mainstream weekend leagues. This also includes coached football sessions, coach education and volunteering opportunities.”

Paul Comer, who runs a football team for some of Mersey Care’s service users, has seen the difference football can make.

He said: “There’s no doubt that football can contribute to people’s physical fitness, help build confidence and improve self- esteem, and is a great way of mixing and making new friends.

“We have been running a football team for several years but we have to travel to Manchester to take part in a league because there is none available on our own doorstep – let’s hope this new project will prove that Liverpool really is a football city.”

The Imagine Your Goals steering group not only wants mental health and community teams to join the league, but is also developing links with GP referral schemes such as Exercise for Health, and organisations like Liverpool Health Promotion Service, to encourage people who want a healthier lifestyle to get back into the game.

Chairman of Mersey Care NHS Trust Steve Hawkins said: “Depressive illness is a physically disabling condition that can contribute to heart disease, stroke, alcoholism and cancer. I applaud Everton for their far- sightedness in engaging people with mental health needs into the mainstream.” Chris Clarke, from Everton In The Community, added: “This year we are committed to taking on mental health as a major part of our community programme which already has experience of working with a wide range of disability football groups.”

THE Imagine Your Goals launch event and football tournament will be at Greenbank Sports Academy disabled sports centre, Greenbank Lane, Sefton Park, on October 10, from 11am to 5pm. Visitors are welcome to drop in to find out more about mental health issues and the new league. If you would like to get involved or like ffurther information, contact Emma Cornmell on 0151 281 4721.