Salford City FC has launched a free supporter assistance programme in partnership with employee assistance programme (EAP) provider Health Assured.
The programme is designed to support fans struggling with mental health and will give Salford City season ticket holders instant access to a full suite of mental health support services from Health Assured, including:
- Unlimited access to 24/7 confidential telephone helpline
- Legal information services
- Debt and financial information
- 24/7 critical telephone support
- Medical information
- Access to a suite of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programmes
- Access to wellbeing app Wisdom Wellbeing
Hannah Bermudez, director of people and culture at Salford City FC, said: “We know what a huge difference reaching out and talking can make and we are really proud that our collaboration with Health Assured will offer mental health support to our fans, as well as a place to seek legal, debt, money and employment advice.
“Our fans told us that mental health support was a key priority for us to address, and in the spirit of one of our core values ‘The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law’, we wanted to address this straight away.
“Our Health Assured Supporter Assistance Programme will include a huge number of additional benefits for season ticket holders, providing personalised support for our community when they need it.
“Statistics show that two in three football fans have struggled with their mental health, and a massive 94% of football fans haven’t ever opened up about it to someone they play or watch football with.
“Our message is clear; at Salford City FC we are always here for our supporters. Together we can tackle the stigma around mental health and make talking about how we’re feeling as normal as discussing the latest matchday result.”
Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at Health Assured, added: “Life demands are pressing, and, for many, football provides an escape from the demands of everyday life.
“A time to get away with fellow supporters and be in the moment, united by their love of the game.
“Fellow fans can be a vital support network, as highlighted in a powerful video campaign by Norwich City.
“But with big wins come big losses, and if someone is already struggling with their mental health then all the ups and downs of following your team can have a further impact.
“At Health Assured we are proud to have been working closely with Salford City F.C., and other clubs across the UK, raising awareness around mental health via our NoSubstituteforTalking campaign, launched in 2018.
“This new supporter assistance programme is the next step, providing fans with direct access to industry-leading mental health support services.
“This is the first of its kind initiative in the UK and one we’re looking to roll out more widely with other clubs across the EFL.”
