Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela and Malta Football Association (MFA) President Bjorn Vassallo have announced the extension of the collaboration between the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing and the Malta Football Association for the YOU Matter initiative, which promotes mental health in sport.Through this collaboration, greater awareness around mental health will be promoted during the upcoming women’s national team football match, as well as during the semi-finals and final of the local women’s football cup.Minister Jo Etienne Abela expressed his satisfaction that, once again, football is being used as a platform to strengthen this collaboration and to continue promoting measures that safeguard mental health.Dr Abela emphasised that, thanks to this initiative, not only are more individuals enrolling in the Mental Health First Aid course, but players themselves are also becoming ambassadors for mental health, supporting those in need.“It is important that we continue to highlight the number 1579, where individuals facing mental health challenges can find help 24/7. We remain committed to working together with the MFA and other sporting sectors on health campaigns that benefit the people of Malta and Gozo,” Dr Abela concluded.“We are pleased to carry out this collaboration with the Ministry for Health, particularly given that sport plays an important role in reducing anxiety, stress and depression, while also enhancing self-esteem. Therefore, launching this campaign together with the Ministry within women’s football is highly positive. The Malta Football Association will remain committed to delivering a clear and positive message and to ensuring that existing information and services in this area are as widely promoted as possible, so that initiatives like this reach people across our country,” MFA President Bjorn Vassallo said.Tag someone who needs to know•