An event to launch an exciting new partnership between Time to Change, Sport Relief and the Premier League will take place today. Ken Loach, Trisha Goddard and Ali Bastian will also be adding their support to Time to Change marking the next stage of the campaign in cinemas across England and on London tubes.

At the event taking place at the Emirates Stadium the Premier League, Sport Relief and Time to Change will launch the new partnership that will harness the power of football to tackle the taboo of mental health problems, so apparent last year with German goalkeeper Robert Enke taking his own life after battling with depression.

To mark the launch of the new Imagine Your Goals (1) programme and as the Premiership battle reaches fever pitch, a new survey from Time to Change shows almost a quarter of people in Great Britain believe following a sports team is good for their mental health and a fifth felt it could be both a blessing and a curse.

Of those whose mental health benefited from following a team, almost half (48%) said it gave them a sense of belonging and 68% said they felt happy when their team won.

Conversely of the supporters who said it was bad for their mental health, 56% felt low when their team lost, 58% said just watching the game made them feel stressed and 25% felt angry when their team lost. Around 1 in 20 (4%) even admitted that their team made them cry.

At the event Trisha Goddard will chair a discussion panel on the role of sport in social change. Trisha will also appear in the next phase of the advertising campaign. Ken Loach, will screen clips of Looking for Eric, a heart-warming film about a postman with a mental health problem, who dreams his hero footballer Eric Cantona into real life. Ali Bastian will also be showing her support by talking about her role on Strictly Come Dancing and the importance of wellbeing.

Richard Scudamore, Premier League Chief Executive, said: “Premier League clubs have shown in recent years the diverse range of issues that they can now tackle through the work they do in their communities. I am extremely pleased that this is being extended with our support for the Imagine your Goals programme that aims to use the power of football to help tackle the stigma surrounding mental health problems.

“A few years ago clubs were viewed solely for what they did on the pitch but modern day Premier League clubs now employ hundreds of staff dedicated to running and supporting community projects such as the award winning Kickz social inclusion programme, Premier League Health and many more."

Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said: “We now know that attitudes towards mental health issues are beginning to move in the right direction. We want to use the powerful influence of football to help level the playing field for people with mental health problems. Football can be a very positive force in helping shape public attitudes and we are delighted that the Premier League is taking a lead role.

“By working together with clubs, supporters and wider local communities we will be able to achieve our ultimate goal of ending discrimination."

Trisha Goddard said: “Like many others, I look forward to the day when we approach our mental health issues in the same way we approach physical healthiness with the openness, understanding and lack of stigma. It's why I'm involved in Time to Change."

Ali Bastian said: “Sport and physical activity are a brilliant way of managing stress and improving our mood. It's time we all understood more about mental health problems and how we can support our family and friends. Join me in putting an end to mental health discrimination by making a pledge through Time to Change."

Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and improve the nation's wellbeing. Mind and Rethink are leading the programme, funded with £16m from the Big Lottery Fund and £4m from Comic Relief and evaluated by the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College, London.

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Notes to Editors:

For interview or image requests please contact Jenny Tudor in the Time to Change Press Office on 0208 2152 358/ 07789 721 966 [email protected]

1. The Imagine Your Goals programme funded by the Premier League and Sport Relief will be delivered by community trusts and schemes affiliated to Premiership football clubs, and will focus on three areas:

- Physical activity: clubs will run football and other physical activities that support people with mental health problems to improve health, build confidence and address issues of social isolation.

- Social contact: this involves bringing together people with and without mental health problems and is an effective way to break down discrimination.

- Campaigning: clubs will also promote the Time to Change key messages about the impact of mental health stigma and discrimination to a variety of audiences, including football supporters and local community groups.


2. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2222 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th - 19th March 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

3. Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and improve the nation's wellbeing. The leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink are running the programme, funded with £16m from the Big Lottery Fund and £4m from Comic Relief, and evaluated by the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College, London.

Pledge to help end mental health prejudice at www.time-to-change.org.uk

4. The Big Lottery Fund's support for Time to Change comes from its £165m Well-being programme, which provides funding to support the development of healthier lifestyles and to improve well-being. The Big Lottery Fund has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006. Full details of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

5. Comic Relief is committed to supporting people living with mental health problems. The projects Comic Relief funds ensure people with mental health problems get their voices heard in the decisions that affect their lives and to get the help they need to recover. Comic Relief also helps people to promote their rights and reduce the stigma and discrimination they face so that they feel more included in society. The £4 million grant to Time to Change is part of Comic Relief's long standing commitment to this issue. For more information go to www.comicrelief.com