FOOTBALL players held a tournament to raise awareness about World Mental Health Day.

'Coping Through Football' celebrated its second anniversary yesterday (Thursday) with a five-a-side football tournament.

The mental health project aims to create a sustainable recovery model for the long term mentally ill.

It is run in Waltham Forest by The London Playing Fields Foundation (LPFF) and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP).

It is also run alongside the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and supported by The Football Foundation, City Bridge Trust, The Henry Smith Charity, Capital Volunteering, Sport England and London Catalyst.

Jeff Davis, FA National Football Development Manager, sits on the Coping Through Football steering group and with funding due to finish in May, all parties are working towards having the project commissioned into the mainstream mental health service.

The tournament featured players from Waltham Forest who were watched by Leyton Orient FC first team players Stephen Purches and Tamika Mkandawire.

Club captain Purches and defender Mkandawire also offered encouragement and advice to the participants.

Leyton Orient FC player Tamika Mkandawire said: “Sometimes players don’t really understand the effect they and football can have on people until they actually come to events like this and see it for themselves.

"Football is a sport that unites everybody and reflects people from all walks of life.

“It was good watching the group play here today. Everyone was enjoying themselves which is the main thing about this session and sport in general.”