Men across the Wirral are being invited to get involved in sport to help their mental and physical health.

A GP practice in the Wirral is urging men aged 35 to 50 to go along to Tranmere Rovers football club where they can get involved in football and at the same time have a health check and talk through any mental health issues.

The scheme is a pilot between Everton in the Community and Dr Christopher Pritchard from Sunlight Practice in New Ferry.

One in four adults has at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any year and those you experience mental illness are five times more likely to be admitted to hospital as an emergency case.

In addition suicide is the biggest killer in the UK of men aged between 20 and 49 years and it is now widely acknowledged that taking physical exercise can help with mental health problems such as stress, depression and other disorders.

Director of Health and Sport at Everton Football Club,  Michael Salla and Tom Duffell  PhD researcher from the Department of Sport and Physical activity at Edge Hill University initially created the project at Everton in The Community.

Dr Pritchard said: “This age group of men, 35 to 50, are at a high risk of suicide due to mental health problems and also generally speaking tend not to visit their GP regularly.

“We are offering a place for them to go to speak about mental health problems if they want to, have some basic health checks and also to get active.”

The sessions will be run on a Friday and so far 15 people have signed up. Along with the physical activities and health checks those attending will be offered incentives such as meeting ex-players and ground tours of the stadium.

“Men are often reluctant to visit their GP to talk about their health,” said Dr Pritchard. “Talking about mental health issues can be seen by some as a weakness but there are lots of people in the same situation.

“Going to the football club also offers friendship, a relaxed atmosphere and the chance to speak about what can be difficult issues.

“It also is a good opportunity for people the chance to get out of their house and do some exercise which can have huge benefits for mild to moderate depression.”

The group is not just for football fans and it is hoped in the future other sports will be offered including golf, cycling, walking and angling.

The national strategy for mental health published by NHS England earlier this year set ambitious targets for making sure mental and physical health are seen as equally important.

Dr Mike Prentice is Medical Director for NHS England across the North. He said: “It is so important that there is a shift in attitudes towards physical and mental health.  By 2020/21 there will be an extra £1 billion a year funding for mental health services.  “There are challenges, but services such as this one in Carlisle show what can be done when different organisations work together.”

A day-long event for primary care clinicians will take place at Goodison Park in Liverpool on July 13. The event will look at a number of areas relating to mental health including suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and domestic violence with a special focus on integrating physical and mental health.

For more information on how to get involved in the group visit the Everton Football club website.