Moray Mental Health Football Club

Let’s talk, let’s play. It’s OK not to be OK.

Matthew Slinger, Steven Simpson and Phillip Barton were this weeks’ speakers. The three friends founded Moray Mental Health Football Club in 2023 which is an all-inclusive support group for those aged over 16 with mental health issues, and now has over 50 participants. The club creates a safe space for people to talk about their Mental Health in a footballing environment.

5 years ago a very close friend of the trio committed suicide and the guys got their minds thinking of ways to help people with their mental health. They thought back to their childhood days when playing football gave them much joy and saw playing the game as a way of doing wonders for those struggling with their mental wellbeing.

The club has strong links with the Inverness based charity Mikeysline.

During the presentation they played a video clip of a news article which was screened by STV when the club first started, in which members praised the benefits of being part of the group.

Sessions are completely free and currently are held at Forres, Elgin, Lossiemouth and Kinloss and hope to extend to other parts of Moray.