The Premier League has launched a three-year partnership with funder Comic Relief to improve children’s mental health.

The £4.65m link up involves supporting children and young people to design and develop mental health and wellbeing education resources and to train teachers to deliver mental health sessions.

The partnership was launched at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge ground this month and involved more than 70 pupils from schools in London. Pupils also took part in football themed workshops to design and promote positive discussions about emotional wellbeing.

"This new partnership builds on the work that the League and our clubs have been doing through our Inside Matters campaign, at a time when supporting mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever,” said the Premier League’s director of community Nick Perchard.

“Through football club charities and their delivery of Premier League community programmes, we can reach thousands of young people and give them the tools, confidence and skills they need to thrive.

“Supporting young people’s mental health is a priority for the Premier League, and we are proud to launch this three-year partnership with Comic Relief to help make a positive difference."

Comic Relief's head of sport for change and funding operations Olly Dawson added: “Right now there is a growing mental health crisis among young people in this country.

“Tens of thousands are waiting over two years for support and stigma continues to prevent countless more from speaking up in the first place.

“We know that football – and sport more broadly – can play a pivotal role in supporting mental health and wellbeing, so it only felt natural for us to team up with our long-term partners, the Premier League in this unique way.

“Together, we are proud to be channelling our shared expertise and passion for supporting more young people through sport, and we are excited about what we can achieve together over the next three years.”

---