Many footballers around the world have bravely shared their personal stories with FIFPRO on mental health – all emphasising the importance of talking and opening up. Take a look at what some had to say.
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World Mental Health Day: It’s important to talk
Steph Labbe: "We must make post-tournament mental health a priority"
Former Canada goalkeeper and Olympic Champion Steph Labbe approached FIFPRO in February 2022 to discuss her post-tournament mental health experiences. To develop further understanding, FIFPRO brought a group of international women's players together to share their experiences around 'post-tournament blues'.
Cari Roccaro: “Hey, I got brown hair and I have mental health therapy”
Cari played a paramount role in NWSL players being entitled up to 6 months of mental health leave, which was included in their recent collective bargaining agreement.
Footballer Nahuel Tuya on mental health: ‘You have to say what you are going through’
Nahuel Tuya suffered his first panic attack just six days after football was suspended in Uruguay because of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
Emergency period workload risks player health
FIFPRO notes the accumulated workload for players in the first quarter of European football’s 2020-2021 season and the mental and physical burden they are facing until 2022. The current handling of the match calendar during this emergency period lacks sufficient considerations for their health, well-being and performance and requires an urgent and ongoing revision by competition organisers.
Congested professional football calendar raises mental health concerns for players
The end-of-season report, Extreme Calendar Congestion: The Adverse Effects on Player Health & Wellbeing, was compiled with Football Benchmark. It considers the impact on players after one of the busiest seasons ever because of the mid-season 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Lucia Ondrusova: "How a mental health coach made a positive difference in my life"
Lucia Ondrusova was the first player to achieve 100 caps for Slovakia. Before retiring last year, the 35-year-old had played for European clubs Sparta Prague, Koln, Basel, Hellas Verona and Neunkirch.
FIFPRO and FIFA to provide health support to recently retired football players
FIFPRO and FIFA have signed a three-year cooperation agreement to provide health support to hundreds of recently retired professional footballers facing the challenges that come with career transition.
Is mental recovery underestimated in football?
FIFPRO is coordinating a ground-breaking 10-year study to yield new insights into the physical and mental health of footballers. The study is tracking the wellbeing of around 170 men’s and women’s footballers.