Suicide is the biggest killer of young men in the UK and costs the NHS huge sums of money. In 2005 the London Playing Fields Foundation launched ‘Coping Through Football’, a programme which uses football as part of a holistic health solution to transform and enrich the lives of its service users, all of whom have been referred following diagnosis of a severe and enduring mental health condition. LPFF treats its service users like athletes. They play on a real pitch, with real kit and real coaches. Globally, Coping Through Football is the most evaluated programme linking sport to mental health. Alex is CEO of the London Playing Fields Foundation. An organisation which uses sport to support individuals with severe and enduring mental health needs to live an independent and fulfilling life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Sport as a magic pill | Alex Welsh | TEDxNHS