Copyright bbc
Skinner has found mental health support often "reactionary". A problem, she believes, is there are few people for managers to turn to. If they raise issues within clubs, it is often to a senior figure who decides their future in the job, so there is a fear it will be seen as a "weakness" and used against them. "There is a risk to being honest. Your job is to be expected to turn up and do everything regardless of what is going on in your life," said Skinner. "Mental health and wellbeing is part of performance. Coaches are high-performing every week, just like players. Yet it's not something that's talked about. "It's a huge concern. Most of the time managers will talk to other managers because outwardly, where you go for that support, is really difficult. "There's only one place and that's the LMA (League Managers' Association). They are the only independent entity that recognises stresses that managers are under." Managers pay a small membership fee to the LMA, but Skinner says the organisation needs more funding. The Football Association backs player care roles at clubs, while Sporting Chance is a charity that has a 24/7 helpline. WSL Football offer in-person check-ins with coaches and are represented within the Pro Coach Partnership (PCP) who discuss and review provisions across the men's and the women's game. However, focus for mental wellbeing in the WSL is thought to be largely player-centred. A government review in 2023, that was led by former England midfielder Karen Carney, highlighted several areas that needed improvement for performance but did not refer to mental wellbeing of coaches. "I just don't think it's engrained in the thought-processes of what people are doing. It feels like it's being paid lip service because it's an afterthought," added Skinner. "The game has grown so fast but it hasn't kept up in so many ways. It's already tough for people [to talk] when they're not in a great place. "If you're somewhere where it is the norm and there's consistency of support, and it's talked about in the context of improving performance, then it becomes easier. "We're just reacting when people are already not in a great place rather than supporting regularly."
