The NHS and football are coming together in Carlisle to help people experiencing mental health problems.

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is leading a football project, with Carlisle United Football Club, providing a weekly football group for people with mental health issues.

One in four adults has at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any year and those who 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.

Occupational therapist at Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Laura White, helped set up the group along with her colleague Tom Kearney an advanced practitioner.

Laura said: “The aim of the group is to get everyone involved in doing something physical, which will in turn benefit their mental health.”

“We already know the sessions have improved the confidence and physical health of those who attend, but it doesn’t end there, friendships have started, social interaction with others is better and we can really see people making progress.”

The group, based at Brunton Park, has gone from strength to strength with more than 15 people turning up each week aged between 18 years and over.

The team is now in a local league as well as attending the North West mental health league twice a year.

It is hoped in the future some of those attending will be able to improve other skills by getting involved in coaching qualifications and football leader courses.

The sessions are co-facilitated by Hadrian Unit’s activity co-ordinator and CUFC coaching staff.

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.”