Match Fit – using football to promote mental health and wellbeing

‘Match Fit’, in partnership with the Association of Working Children and Youth, is testing the effectiveness of experiential football sessions to improve young people’s mental health knowledge, dispel harmful cultural beliefs and reduce mental health-related stigma in schools across Guédiawaye, Senegal. The project aims to address three elements to promote wellbeing holistically: (1) Participation in sport, (2) Removal of judgement and stigma by providing a safe space to discuss taboo topics in groups of 20-25 peers with trained teachers/coaches, and (3) experiential learning through representations on the pitch, addressing the lack of mental health knowledge. Alongside the football activities, the project will engage parents and religious leaders in group workshops to foster intergenerational dialogue and interactive discussions on mental health issues and ensure that key messages are framed in culturally appropriate ways and resonate with local beliefs.