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SPFL Trust funding mental health first aid courses

A scene from one of the mental health courses funded by the SPFL Trust
Image: A scene from one of the mental health courses funded by the SPFL Trust

Scottish football clubs are taking mental health seriously by encouraging their employees and volunteers to participate in courses funded by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) Trust.

The Trust is funding mental health first aid courses, where anyone connected with a football club - be they chaplains, office staff, kit-men, academy coaches or simply volunteers - can learn vital life-saving skills.

So far, these courses have been fully subscribed, and are designed to help those participating become a bridge to appropriate professional help.

It is all about spotting early warning signs of mental health distress in vulnerable individuals - including players, staff, supporters, friends and family.

(left to right) Iain Russell, Jamie Murphy, Lewis Stevenson and Tam McManus at the SPFL Trust Golf Day to raise funds for Mental Health First Aid Training.
Image: (left to right) Iain Russell, Jamie Murphy, Lewis Stevenson and Tam McManus at the SPFL Trust Golf Day to raise funds for Mental Health First Aid Training

Sky Sports News recently visited one of these sessions, which was attended by Louise Rooney, the girlfriend of former Falkirk, Queen of the South, Clyde, Bradford City and Scotland Under-21 defender Chris Mitchell.

He passed away in May 2016 at the age of 27, after struggling to cope with leaving full-time professional football.

In his memory, Mitchell's family set up The Chris Mitchell Foundation earlier this year, of which Louise is a trustee. The foundation is part-funding the first-aid courses run by the SPFL.

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Louise said: "We wanted to provide funding for the course, so that there's somebody in every Scottish football team with mental health first aid training who can hopefully spot the signs and symptoms early on for young players that may be suffering in the same situation that Chris was.

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Watch Charles Paterson's report on Sky Sports News about how the SPFL Trust are funding mental health first aid courses in Scotland

"We and Chris weren't aware of the help available to him at the time. It's sad that it takes situations like this for mental health awareness to be broadcasted and brought to light.

"To have somebody being able to spot these signs and symptoms, gives players somebody they know that they can approach in a club to speak to.

"But it also gives the rep, who is trained, a chance to spot signs and intercept at an early stage and help - especially if they don't want to approach somebody for help.

"So I think it's important that people are encouraged to approach these reps for help, speak to them, and likewise I think the reps are able to approach people and players in the correct way."

Chris Mitchell playing for Queen of the South in April 2014
Image: Chris Mitchell playing for Queen of the South in April 2014

Rates of suicide in Scotland climbed 8 per cent between 2015 and 2016, and it is the main cause of death for men under the age of 40.

By providing first aid skills of this type, the SPFL Trust hope it will help sufferers living in an environment that's filled with stress, not just for players and staff, but for supporters, both young and old.

A long-term goal is to ensure that two mental health first-aiders can be found within every club at many different levels of the game, whether it be SPFL, Highland League, Lowland League, Womens' Premier League or youth academy clubs.

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