#NOSTIGMA DAY – SATURDAY 25th JANUARY

Tomorrow is our #NoStigma Mental Health Awareness Day at The Falkirk Stadium. One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.

Our partners at Grangemouth Contractors Safety Alliance (GCSA), who also support our ongoing support with Legion Scotland and Poppy Scotland, and Forth Valley College have worked together to produce a Mental Health Awareness Video. Entitled #NoStigma it aims to help address these issues and ultimately help remove the stigma attached to mental health related illness. Click here to watch the video in full. 

Mental health disorders are as prevalent in football as in all other walks of life and we are also proud to be continuing our longstanding partnership with the Chris Mitchell Foundation tomorrow.

Chris Mitchell came through the youth system at Falkirk, playing 51 times for The Bairns and before going on to play for Ayr United, Bradford City, Queen of the South and Clyde. Chris developed mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety. Sadly, all the support from his family and friends could not deter him from ending his own life on the 7th May 2016. He was only 27.

Founded in honour of Chris, the Chris Mitchell Foundation was established to raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing for players, ex-players and staff working in the Scottish professional football industry. There will be a pre-match collection for the Chris Mitchell foundation before kick-off tomorrow and we are pleased to invite Chris’ family along to the game as official guests of the club.

Norman Stevenson, Chairman of Grangemouth Contractors Safety Alliance commented: “The GCSA are very proud to have created and continue to develop such an important message. We very much value the support of Forth Valley College, Safety Groups UK and Falkirk Football Club”

Philip Mitchell, Trustee of the Chris Mitchell Foundation, said:

“Today marks the third consecutive year the Chris Mitchell Foundation has been invited by Falkirk Football Club to be part of their Mental Health Awareness Day and we are delighted to return to Falkirk Stadium.

“Since the formation of the Chris Mitchell Foundation in March 2017, and with the ongoing support of Falkirk Football Club, the fans and many generous public donations, we continue to tackle the issue of mental health in Scottish football, whilst raising awareness and dispelling the stigma behind this illness.”

“Working in partnership with the SPFL Trust and Mark Fleming, the Chris Mitchell Foundation has funded the training of over four hundred Mental Health First Aiders with Scottish football.

“Thank you for your support.”

Kieran Koszary, Commercial Director, added:

“Falkirk Football Club are immensely proud to be working with our partners at GCSA and Chris Mitchell Foundation to raise awareness of mental health across all sectors of society.  As with our other awareness days we are looking to use the power of the football to help those in situations of need.”