Millers kick-off delayed by one minute to show footballers’ mental health messages

In a historic first, all 32 FA Cup third round fixtures this weekend will be delayed by one minute. A new film narrated by the Duke of Cambridge will be played, encouraging football fans to take a minute to start taking action to look after their mental health and that of their family and friends.

The powerful one minute film (below) features current and former players, pundits, managers and fans including Frank Lampard, Harry Maguire, Alex Scott, Dele Alli and Jordan Pickford. It will also be broadcast to those watching on TV.

The film has been released as a collaboration between Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters campaign, the FA and Heads Together’s Heads Up campaign, who have teamed up to raise awareness of the simple actions we can all take to look after our mental health. 

Chelsea manager Lampard said: “It’s hugely important for men to think about their mental health and take action where they can. I came from a family where we bottled up a lot of emotions, feelings and sometimes anxieties. 

“I think a huge thing now is the great campaigns that are going on encouraging people to speak openly about looking after your mental health and not feel bad about how you feel inside. I think as men, sometimes we can think that it’s a weakness but it certainly isn’t. It's a huge strength.”

Latest statistics show 18.6 per cent of the population aged 16 and over in Rotherham have experienced a mental health condition. National results also show that men are less likely than women to seek help or take self-care actions for early signs of common mental health concerns like stress, anxiety, low mood or trouble sleeping.

Fans are encouraged to visit the Every Mind Matters website to answer a few questions about how they are feeling, and get their own free mind plan.

This gives people simple, personalised steps they can take to be better prepared for life’s ups and downs and empowers them to manage and improve their mental health.

Search www.everymindmatters.co.uk and www.thefa.com/headsup for more information.

People 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.