Fight the stigma associated with mental health and support the football player on a psychological level is the main goal of the Players Union and the Portuguese Society of Sport Psychology. From 2019, the Portuguese Psychologists Bar is the new partner of this project, after the signature of a cooperation protocol with the Union.

According to a study promoted by the Players’ Union with 217 footballers, 35.8% reported having experienced more than six significant events causing mental health disorders in the past year, and 13.9% admitted dissatisfaction with the career.

To meet the needs of players, the Union has produced a mental health booklet with information about 11 situations that can affect the mental health of the footballer.

Carlos Fernandes, Nuno Pinto (active players) and Tiago Rente (former player) talked about their experiences, in a roundtable promoted by the Players Union to mark the world mental health day. In the conversation, many of the risk factors in the football industry were approached.

Outside the football pitch, should be remembered the sanctions for Portuguese clubs making false statements in the registration of the players. Penalties for non-registration of labor contracts, may result in defeat in the games in which the improperly registered athlete has participated.

We will be back next week with more news.