IT was a football event to kickstart community awareness of mental health.

The Saints Schools Anti-Stigma Cup took place at the Guildhall in Southampton, where nine schools competed in a five-a-side football arena as part of the Kicks for Youth inclusion project.

The square was transformed for the landmark event to encourage a city-wide movement against the stigma that can be associated with mental illness.

The schools taking part included Weston Park Primary School, Bassett Green Primary and Redbridge Primary.

Patrick O’Shea, one of the organisers, said: “It’s all about using football as a vehicle to bring up mental health.

“Lots of people won’t talk about it before it reaches crisis point so hopefully we can help to break the stigma with events like this.”

With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem this year, the Saints Foundation teamed up with Southampton City Council and local mental health support organisations to host the event.

Among those in attendance were Solent Mind, No Limits, Southampton Youth Forum, Yellow Doors, Southampton City Council Careers Team, Junior Neighbourhood Wardens, Young Carers, Hampshire Police and CAMHS (Children and Young People Adolescent Mental Health Services)

Over the weekend, teams representing the city’s young people, adults and senior residents will compete alongside special guest teams from Arsenal, Brighton, Norwich and Belgian club Gent, alongside a Southampton Labour Party versus Conservative party match.

There will also be a host of activities taking place for spectators to get involved with while they watch the action.