Forest Green Rovers will host their Mind Day of Action at The New Lawn this weekend, as they take on Salford City tomorrow.

Mind is joining with Rovers for the fixture to help raise awareness among fans about mental health and the support the charity provides. Alongside this, they hope to raise vital funds to tackle mental health problems.

The matchday comes as part of Mind’s charity partnership with the EFL, which will see the charity work with all EFL clubs to help bring a lasting legacy around mental health in football.

Part of the work that Mind does in the Swindon and Gloucestershire area is the running of the Alexandra Wellbeing House.

Based in Gloucester, the house provides a retreat for individuals with mild to moderate mental health challenges in a safe, therapeutic space.

For fans wanting to show their support for the brilliant work Mind do in the local area, there will be a collection bucket outside the ground ahead of the game.

Supporters can also take a look inside Saturday’s matchday programme, and on social media channels, to find out more Mind.

“It’s difficult to assess yourself about your mental health and to know if you’re struggling,” said Forest Green head coach Mark Cooper.

“We need to air our feelings and talk to each other to make sure we’re all okay.

“Football isn’t an easy industry to be open about the issues you are having. It’s a male dominated environment which can make it hard to talk things over, but with what’s going on at the moment, and with Mind being at the forefront of things, it’s getting easier.”

Mind’s own research shows that over half of people (56 per cent) feel that football fans find it easier to show their emotions at football matches than at any other time.

Despite this, the charity also knows that many fans, particularly men, are likely to be struggling in silence for fear of opening up about their mental health.


Mind hopes mental health-themed matchdays like this will begin to open up the conversation among football fans about their mental health as well as raising awareness about the support Mind offers.

Mind’s Partnership with the EFL launched at the start of the 2018/19 season and runs to the end of this season.

It aims to raise awareness about mental health with fans, clubs and staff, raise funds to deliver life-changing support and help improve the approach to mental health in football by working with other partners in the game.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem.

“That could be one person in every family, hundreds of football players and many thousands of football fans.

“Our research suggests that while football fans, particularly men, are comfortable showing their emotions at football matches, many feel unable to reach out for support when they need it. We are proud to be working in partnership with Rovers and all 71 other clubs in the EFL, to be real game-changers in the way football tackles mental health.

“Whoever you support, Mind supports you.”

If you need support from Mind, you can call them on 0300 123 3393, or text on 86463.

Help support Mind’s vital mental health services by texting FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3. Full T&C’s bit.ly/2H0fTVf

For more information about Mind’s partnership with the EFL and wider work in football visit mind.org.uk/football