Football tackling more than the game.

As World Mental Health Day prompted conversations about wellbeing and support, it also highlighted the growing role football can play in improving mental health outcomes for young people.

That message was reinforced earlier this month when ministers were urged to expand community-based programmes delivered through football clubs, with the Talking Tactics initiative highlighted as an example of support provided in trusted, non-clinical settings. The programme, delivered by Advantage Mentoring and partners including Spurs in the Community, provides tailored mentoring for young people aged 11-21 experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. This short video highlights some of the work that has been undertaken by the initiative.

For NHS Spurs members, the story has an added connection. Advantage Mentoring is led by NHS Spurs co-founder Konrad Deckers Dowber, whose organisation has worked with 20 football club charities over the past six years, supporting nearly 1,000 young people through preventative mental health programmes.

The impact has been significant. Independent evaluation found that 88% of participants improved their everyday functioning, while 96% did not go on to require intervention from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Reflecting on World Mental Health Day, the partnership between Spurs in the Community and Advantage Mentoring is a reminder that football's influence extends far beyond the pitch, helping young people build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.