[caption id=“attachment_6176” align=“alignright” width=“300”] Tackling mental health through football[/caption] Swindon Town Football Club Community Trust have been working in conjunction with MIND, a mental health charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, as a part of The Every Player Counts project since September 2016. STFC Community Trust are just one of many EFL club trusts who offer sessions with MIND, structured to enable participants suffering a mental health issue the opportunity to take part in football coaching sessions, social interaction and physical exercise within a safe environment. One particular participant, life-long Swindon Town supporter, Ian Tanner, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar, has had the best attendance record missing only one session since September. Participants of the sessions experience a range of mental health complications, which can have an affect on attendance if they are feeling particularly unwell on the day that they are unable to attend. Ian had to resign from his employment position due to his diagnosis and acute mental health issues, which consequently caused a great strain on his relationship with his wife, leading to their separation and divorce in 2001. He now lives alone in Swindon and talks openly about his conditions. Due to the high volume of dosage of medication, Ian in his own words ​”continually battles against his weight.” To read more please follow the link… Tackling mental health through football Every Player Counts