The Football Association has
announced that all Emirates FA Cup Third Round fixtures will be delayed by one
The move will see all 32 ties (excluding
replays) kick-off one minute later than their traditionally scheduled broadcast
and non-broadcast timeslots, for example 3.01pm, 12.16pm and 7.46pm.It is hoped that the initiative
will raise awareness of the importance of looking after our mental health, with
60 seconds representing just the first step in the journey to improved
wellbeing.During the minute delay, fans
will be encouraged to consider the positive impact 60 seconds can have on their
own wellbeing or in supporting a friend or family member.Heads Up is partnering with
Public Health England's Every Mind Matters across the Emirates FA Cup Third
Round to draw attention to the simple steps we can all take to look after our
mental health and wellbeing.The partnership will signpost
to the free, online Every Mind Matters resources and ‘Your Mind Plan' tool,
which fans can use to create a personal mental health action plan, providing
them with a tailored set of simple self-care actions.In conjunction with Heads Up charity
partners Mind, CALM, Heads Together and Sporting Chance, fans will also be
provided helpful tips and advice on how they can approach managing their mental
health.Messaging will be visible
across the weekend of fixtures, both in the stadia and for the millions
watching from home.Spearheaded by HRH The Duke of
Cambridge, the Heads Up campaign harnesses the influence and popularity of
football to encourage more people – particularly men – to feel comfortable
talking about, and taking action to improve, their mental health and to
recognise that mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness.Mark Bullingham, The FA's Chief
Executive said: “Whilst delaying kick-off times by 60 seconds is a simple idea,
it provides a powerful platform for us and our Heads Up charity partners to
deliver a really important message on mental health.“We know that men in particular
can be reluctant to talk about the subject, so it is important that we use
football as a vehicle to stress the importance of mental fitness.”Godric Smith, Chair of the
Heads Up campaign said: “It is fitting that the first big Heads Up campaign
moment should be linked to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round - a signature moment
in any football season.“The Emirates FA Cup is a
competition for everyone - for clubs big and small - and we want to use its
power to help show that we all have mental health and that we can all take a
minute to focus on how we can start to improve it.”The draw for The Emirates FA
Cup Third Round takes place on BBC Two this evening at 7pm and will be
facilitated by Tony Adams, former England international and three-time FA Cup
winner and founder of Heads Up charity partner, Sporting Chance.Third Round ties will take place this coming weekend.
For more information on the Heads Up campaign visit – TheFA.com/HeadsUp and headstogether.org.uk/heads-up. Fans can also search ‘Every Mind Matters' to create their own personal mental health action plan.
Those in need of immediate support can text ‘HeadsUp' to
85258 to be connected to a trained crisis counsellor. This service is available
24/7, and free to text from most mobile networks.