FAI initiative raised awareness of mental health
During the month of May which was designated as Mental Health Awareness month, our member FAI engaged all of their Men’s and Women’s League of Ireland clubs in an initiative where club captains wore a specially designed armband to raise awareness of mental health. The FAI cooperated with a Mental Health advocacy group called “Head in the Game”. The initiative, launched in 2018, aims to help support clubs and volunteers when dealing with mental health issues, to challenge the stigma and promote positive mental health.
Sponsored by City Auction Group, the programme is part of the UEFA Hat Trick funding for football and social responsibility and was developed in partnership with Tackling Awareness Of Mental Health Issues (TAMHI), Inspire and Train 2B Smart Soccer.
During the pandemic the Irish FA have adapted to online delivery having delivered 10 webinars to over 250 volunteers. The online workshops feature interactive tasks and videos featuring clubs and volunteers from Northern Ireland.
The initiative generated excellent coverage nationally and is one the FAI will be glad to revisit again in the future.
Photos feature Ronan Finn (Captain Shamrock Rovers), Ian Bermingham (Captain St. Patrick’s Athletic) and Pearl Slattery (Captain Shelbourne FC Women).
5 May 2021; St. Patrick’s Athletic captain Ian Bermingham at the launch of the Head in the Game captain’s armband initiative at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 
5 May 2021; Shelbourne captain Pearl Slattery at the launch of the Head in the Game captain’s armband initiative at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 
5 May 2021; Shamrock Rovers captain Ronan Finn at the launch of the Head in the Game captain’s armband initiative at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 
