ΤΕΑΜ Tackling the mental health stigma in youth football

ΤΕΑΜ Tackling the mental health stigma in youth football The project aims to conduct research amongst youth football organizations on the effects of mental health and the need for athlete’s mental well-being.

The project is funded by European Union, under the ERASMUS-SPORT-2024 Call. (Project ID: 101184222)

One mistake doesn’t define you.One missed shot doesn’t erase your talent, your effort, or your progress.In sport, in wor...
07/05/2026

One mistake doesn’t define you.

One missed shot doesn’t erase your talent, your effort, or your progress.

In sport, in work, and in life, mistakes are unavoidable. Every athlete, every student, every professional experiences setbacks, pressure, self-doubt, and difficult moments. What truly matters is not perfection - it’s the ability to respond, learn, and keep moving forward.

Mental health organisations across Europe continue to remind us that resilience is not about “being strong all the time.” Real strength comes from recognising your emotions, speaking kindly to yourself, and allowing yourself the chance to grow after failure. Self-compassion and support are proven to help people recover faster from stress and perform better under pressure.

So if today didn’t go the way you planned:

take a breath,
reset your mindset,
and remind yourself that progress is never linear.

A bad moment is not a bad future.
A mistake is not your identity.

Growth happens when you choose to continue despite the setback.

Keep showing up.
Keep believing in yourself.
Keep going.

Learn more on our website (link in bio!)



*Funded by the European Union

Young athletes don't want to hide their struggles, they want to discuss them openly in a supportive, familiar environmen...
08/04/2026

Young athletes don't want to hide their struggles, they want to discuss them openly in a supportive, familiar environment.

And with 47% of these conversations already being initiated by coaches, the pitch is the absolute perfect place to start.

Coaches, take five minutes at the end of your next training session to just check in. Ask how they are handling the pressure. Remind them that their mental fitness matters just as much as their footwork.

🌐 Learn more at tacklingmentalhealth.eu

The game is evolving. Are you evolving with it? ⚽Young athletes are already ahead of the curve. A massive 84.7% of them ...
03/04/2026

The game is evolving. Are you evolving with it? ⚽

Young athletes are already ahead of the curve. A massive 84.7% of them agree that mental health is just as important as physical health on the pitch.

But recognising it isn't enough. As our TEAM project research shows, the environment is everything. When a club openly discusses mental health, players are more likely to know exactly where to turn when they need support.

Swipe through to see why breaking the silence is the most important tactical shift a club can make. 🗣️

Every time they get on the pitch, the pressure is on. But what are young footballers actually afraid of? ⚽Our pan-Europe...
30/03/2026

Every time they get on the pitch, the pressure is on. But what are young footballers actually afraid of? ⚽

Our pan-European TEAM project research revealed a crucial insight: 30% of youth athletes play with a constant fear of making mistakes.

As a parent, your reaction from the sidelines can either add to that weight or help lift it. Let them know your pride isn't tied to a perfect performance.

Support their effort, normalize mistakes, and make the sidelines a safe space.

🌐 Learn more about our mission at tacklingmentalhealth.eu

A bad match. A drop in confidence. The fear of making a mistake.Every player faces mental struggles, but you don't have ...
27/03/2026

A bad match. A drop in confidence. The fear of making a mistake.

Every player faces mental struggles, but you don't have to face them alone.

Check in with your teammates on the bench today. If you are struggling, talk to your coach.

Normalising these conversations takes the pressure off and makes the whole squad stronger. 🤝

🌐 Learn more about our mission at tacklingmentalhealth.eu

The pressure on the pitch is often heavier than it looks. ⚽When we watch youth football, we see passion, talent, and tea...
26/03/2026

The pressure on the pitch is often heavier than it looks. ⚽

When we watch youth football, we see passion, talent, and teamwork. But behind the scenes, players are facing hidden opponents.

In our recent TEAM project survey, 69% of young footballers cited stress as a major challenge. Furthermore, 54% deal with confidence issues, and 49% experience anxiety related to the game.

These feelings are normal, but carrying them in silence shouldn't be.

Supportive dialogue between players, coaches, and parents builds the trust needed to navigate these pressures.

Let's break the stigma. 🗣️💪

The pitch should be a safe space for every young player to grow, learn, and thrive. ⚽🌍Today is the International Day for...
21/03/2026

The pitch should be a safe space for every young player to grow, learn, and thrive. ⚽🌍

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In youth sports, discrimination doesn't just ruin the beautiful game. It takes a profound toll on a young athlete's mental health and well-being.

At the TEAM project, we know that true athletic strength comes from unity, empathy, and respect. We must build club cultures where every single player feels they belong, completely free from the fear of judgment or abuse.

Let’s tackle racism together and protect the mental fitness of our young athletes. 🤝💜

28/11/2025

One word can build a player. One word can break a kid. 🛑

Coach, you know the tactics, but do you know the mind? A shouting match or a dismissive comment might seem like "tough love," but for a teenager facing anxiety, it can be the end of the road.

Good intentions are not enough anymore. If you don't know how to handle the pressure they feel, you might be the reason they quit.

Don't leave it to chance. Educate yourself. We are creating the tools you need.

A truly 2-day productive meeting, in Trikala!The 2nd TPM of TEAM Project: Tackling the Mental Health Stigma in Youth Foo...
26/11/2025

A truly 2-day productive meeting, in Trikala!
The 2nd TPM of TEAM Project: Tackling the Mental Health Stigma in Youth Football took place in Trikala, Greece on November 25th – 26th.
Partners from Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal gathered together to discuss vital aspects of the project.
During the meeting, the consortium of the project reviewed and evaluated all data collected under the research phase of the project, set timelines for the upcoming activities, and aligned on the next steps.

Effective teamwork and great energy!

More to come....stay tuned as the TEAM keeps tackling the stigma in youth football!!!

University of Nicosia
GDA Sports Ltd
Red Deporte
Università degli Studi "Gabriele d'Annunzio"
Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας
Cyprus Football Association
Associação de Futebol de Bragança

24/11/2025

"Just play football."
But how easy is that when your mind stops you?
Research shows that ages 15-19 are critical. If we don't act now, we lose talent, but more importantly, we lose happy kids.
We are taking a stand. We visit academies to learn the truth, and we build the guides that are missing.
Help us break the silence. Join our mission for better mental health.

20/11/2025

The Real Game Starts at Home 🏠⚽
Did you know that the car ride home is just as important as the training session?

The Opportunity: Football builds the body, but family builds the heart.

Research shows that athletes with positive family support don't just play better—they stay in the sport longer and feel happier. Without this support, the pressure can become too much.

What We Do: At team_erasmusproject, we aren't just helping players. We are creating special resources specifically for parents. We want to help you understand how to be the pillar of strength your child needs.

GDA Sports Ltd Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας University of Nicosia Red Deporte Associação de Futebol de Bragança Università degli Studi "Gabriele d'Annunzio" Cyprus Football Association

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Tríkala

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