Amateur FA proudly announces the launch of the ground-breaking digital mental health support suite, 'The Vault,' in collaboration with The Football Mental Health Alliance (FMHA) and coinciding with World Mental Health Day. 

The Vault, is a free, pioneering mental health platform designed with comprehensive resources for grassroots football. Built through the collective efforts of specialist psychologists, coaches, parents, carers, licenced FIFA agents, and ex-professional players, The Vault serves as a vital resource for everyone involved in grassroots football.  

The Vault contains expert-led, football-themed content in the form of interactive webinars, access to personal stories from current and ex-professional footballers, articles and infographics, a podcast, journals, mental health plans for Clubs to utilise, mental health first aid training and an upcoming conference, all designed to support mental well-being within the grassroots football community.  

The Vault is for anyone involved in grassroots football at any level – players, coaches, parents/carers, spectators, volunteers and match officials.  

Statistics show that one in four people experience mental health difficulties each year and at any given time, one in six working-age adults have symptoms associated with mental ill-health. Mental health conditions often develop early, with 75% of cases starting by age 18. Alarmingly, men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK. 

The Vault was conceived in response to these pressing statistics and the increased demand for digital mental health solutions across the grassroots football spectrum. This always accessible, ever-evolving platform provides support anytime for all age ranges. It allows for anonymous sign-up, ensuring confidentiality and comfort to those seeking information or assistance with their own or someone else’s mental health.  

Samantha Brown, Football Development Officer at the Amateur FA said; “World Mental Health Day serves as the perfect backdrop to unveil The Vault, amplifying the importance of mental health in football. The Vault will be continually updated to ensure its ongoing relevance to what’s happening in society and football. 

"We encourage anyone involved in grassroots football to sign up and utilise the football themed mental health resources in there. The Vault will serve as a free, always accessible, continually growing resource, ensuring a wide-reaching, tangible impact on mental health within grassroots football across England.  

“We have produced some graphics that clubs can use to promote World Mental Health Day on their social media channels and club houses, to ensure that their stakeholders are aware of this key date in the calendar. 

“Launching on World Mental Health Day is the perfect opportunity to remind everyone that we are here to support them with their mental health." 

The Vault opens on World Mental Health Day - Tuesday October 10th 2023.  

Details can be found at www.vault.thefmha.com where 'grassrooters’ can sign up for free.