Every Premier League club must give each contract player one session of between 45 and 90 minutes each season on available mental health and wellbeing support, and must keep a first-team action plan approved by a doctor licensed by the General Medical Council, with one named person responsible for delivery.
What every club must do each season
Here are the required steps for every club.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player session | Between 45 and 90 minutes, for every contract player |
| Action plan | A first-team plan approved by a doctor licensed by the General Medical Council |
| Named responsibility | One designated individual manages and delivers the plan |
| Referral process | Submitted to the league by 1 September each year |
| Who can see it | Contract players, the officials working with them, and the league on request |
The annual player session
The session is a mandatory part of the club's seasonal duties. It has to be made available to every contract player, and its purpose is to give information about the support and resources available to promote mental health and wellbeing.
The action plan, named lead and referral route
Clubs must do more than hold a single education session. They also need a first-team mental health and wellbeing action plan, and that plan has to be approved by a doctor licensed to practise by the General Medical Council.
Each club must also identify one person to manage and deliver the plan. Alongside that, the club has to submit its referral process to the league by 1 September each year.
How the support framework is meant to work
The guidance calls for support to be player centred. It should also be backed by interdisciplinary work across medical, psychology, player care and safeguarding as needed.
The action plan and the referral process must be available to contract players, to the officials engaged to work with them, and to the league on request.
FAQ
Do Premier League clubs have to support player mental health?
Yes. The requirement is built into club duties through an annual session, a first-team action plan, a named individual responsible for delivery, and a referral process.
The action plan and referral process must be available to relevant people within the club and to the league on request.
What mental health support do footballers get under these rules?
At minimum, clubs must provide information on the support and resources available, and they must put that support into a formal plan with a referral route.
The guidance also says support should be player centred and, where needed, coordinated across several professional areas.
Does the Premier League require a mental health plan?
Yes. Each club must devise and implement a first-team mental health and wellbeing action plan.
That plan needs approval from a doctor licensed by the General Medical Council, and one designated individual must manage and deliver it.
Is the referral process only an internal club document?
No. Clubs must submit the referral process to the league by 1 September each year.
The process must also be available to contract players and to the officials working with them.