Millie Bright: Players need mental health support without judgement

Women’s football players are most likely to be considering leaving the game early for financial and mental health reasons as employment standards fail to keep pace with a boom in some parts of the world, according to a new FIFPRO study.

For former England and Chelsea defender Millie Bright, creating an environment where players can ask for help without judgement is essential.

The 2026 FIFPRO Global Employment Report: Working Conditions in Women’s Football illustrates 49 percent of players said they were considering leaving the game early: of that group of players, 46 percent cited psychological stress. 

In total, 57 percent of women players surveyed in the report have struggled with their mental health; half of them were not provided with support by their clubs.

Bright, who retired after the 2025/26 season, reflects on how difficult it can be for players to speak openly about their struggles.

"You’re a little bit embarrassed to say that you’re struggling a little bit, so you just hide it and just keep playing," she said in a video interview with FIFPRO.

"Ultimately, it’s just support and no pressure. I think the hardest thing as a player is we’ve already got pressure on ourselves."

FIFPRO is calling for mandatory psychological support for players as part of enforceable minimum employment standards. Bright’s reflections highlight why how that support is delivered matters, too.

For her, confidentiality is a priority: respecting what a player feels comfortable sharing with their club and how any time away is communicated to team-mates, staff and the media.

"You want to help, but you want to protect them whilst allowing them to be on whatever journey it takes to get back to their best," Bright said. "Football definitely takes a backseat when it comes to that, and rightly so."

Support also needs to be part of a club’s everyday culture, remaining consistent through changes in managers and players.

"A big thing for me in mental health is the environment and the culture," she said. "To have a positive impact, it needs consistency and daily behaviours."

As the report highlights gaps in the support available to players, Bright’s message to those around them is clear: "No judgement, maximum level of support, and just building that relationship with that player."