He writes:

‘Inspired by the Sunderland Supporters Trust, who set up a mental health matchday walk-in hub at the Stadium of Light, as well as Everton, Leeds Utd, Newcastle and Liverpool supporters who have all set up various mental health initiatives, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust’s ‘Over The Line’ is a response to a growing recognition of the need to be open and accepting of our mental health.

‘Among football fans – and particularly male football fans – being strong and tough is considered a default position, despite the changing narratives in the wider community. This coincided with growing examples of Chelsea fans reaching out on social media for support, and, sadly, cases in which people had taken their lives.

‘Scarcely a day passes when the issue of mental health is not being ferociously debated on social media or the news. The ‘ferocity’, unfortunately, emanates from the fact that certain high-profile figures continue to minimise or use twisted logic in their desire to diminish the effects of mental health problems. When this happens, those of us who are attempting to encourage people to reach out for support are set back in our efforts as these negative narratives push people back into their shells, their fears about stigma and ‘weakness’ having been reinforced.

‘I volunteer as a crisis counsellor and regularly encounter the fears and reservations of people who are struggling with their mental health, but also experience the incredible relief they get when they finally reach out – so this was an idea that appealed. Along with other Chelsea supporters, we conceived the idea of a signposting and education resource specifically aimed at Chelsea supporters (although, no doubt, supporters of other clubs may happen across it) in order to help people make that first step ‘over the line’ into the process of recovery. Our primary aim is very simple; to help people recognise their problems and then to find the resources to do something about it. It is very important to note that ‘Over The Line’ is not a counselling or crisis service: our website sits at the very sharp point of the process. Our website gives links and contacts to crisis services should you need them.

‘It is important that those who worry about the stigmas associated with opening up about mental health problems are able to see that they are not alone and that one in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year. It has been a wonderful thing to see several Chelsea supporters step up to talk to us about their experiences in short films. Recognising people we know, or who we can identify with, is a major step in feeling confident to start getting support for our own problems. We are very grateful to those who have offered to speak up.

‘Over The Line is supported by Chelsea FC for which we are very grateful and it has a group of people behind it who are professionals in their fields. There is one part-time paid administrator but everybody else are volunteers; all of us are Chelsea supporters. On the website, we provide advice on the problems that cause distress, the symptoms and the often imperceptible changes we undergo when we are suffering – for whatever reason that may be. A huge part of the process is to actually identify the things affecting your mental health in the first place and once done, we can then point you towards a number of different resources that provide the kinds of help to suit each individual.

‘Over The Line will hopefully contribute to helping many Chelsea supporters take the first steps to recovery, but to also provide a reference point for the conversation to continue. In a challenging world, it is more important than ever to look after our mental health in the same way as we would our physical health and we hope Over The Line can make a significant contribution to the wider well-being of the Chelsea family.’

Website: www.overtheline.uk

Twitter: @getovertheline