'Take A Minute' - Heads Up Campaign
In December the FA and Heads Up - the charity challenging the stigma around mental health in football – announced that all third-round FA Cup matches will kick-off a minute later, (12:16, 3:01, 7:46) to help raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in football.
The initiative labelled ‘Take A Minute’ forms part of the Heads Up campaign which began at the start of the season with the Community Shield match and will see further initiatives throughout the 2019/20 season.
Heads Up is partnering with Public Health England’s ‘Every Mind Matters’ across the Emirates FA Cup third round to draw attention to the simple steps we can all take to look after our mental health and wellbeing.
It is hoped that the ‘Take A Minute’ initiative will raise awareness of the importance of looking after our mental health, with 60 seconds representing just the first step in the journey to improved wellbeing. During the minute delay, fans will be encouraged to consider the positive impact 60 seconds can have on their own wellbeing or in supporting a friend or family member.
Fans will see messages throughout the weekend fixtures, in stadiums, TV and social media.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Whilst delaying kick-off times by 60 seconds is a simple idea, it provides a powerful platform for us and our Heads Up charity partners to deliver a really important message on mental health.
“We know that men in particular can be reluctant to talk about the subject, so it is important that we use football as a vehicle to stress the importance of mental fitness.”
Your Mind Plan created by Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters, MIND, CALM and Sporting Chance is a quiz which takes less than 60 seconds to complete and help with providing useful tips and advice on how to approach managing your mental health.
Those in need of immediate support can text ‘HeadsUp’ to 85258 to be connected to a trained crisis counsellor. This service is available 24/7, and free to text from most mobile networks.
To learn more about the Heads Up campaign, click here.