Doctors will be able to prescribe football tickets to people with depression to relieve symptoms.

In a pioneering initiative in the field of mental health, the British healthcare system will incorporate football matches as part of therapeutic treatment for the first time starting August 16. According to The Independent , through a pilot program, people with mild or moderate depression will be able to access free tickets to attend matches of Forest Green Rovers , the Nailsworth team that plays in the National League.

The proposal was promoted by Stroud's Labour MP, Simon Opher , and supported by Dale Vince , an environmentalist businessman and club owner.

The program, called "Football on a Prescription," is being developed around twelve medical offices located near the New Lawn stadium and is part of a broader social prescription strategy. Rather than resorting to drug treatments, this initiative aims to encourage participation in community activities that promote emotional well-being and social integration.

Using football as a means of connection, the project seeks to leverage the inclusive nature of sport to combat isolation and promote mental health.

One of the concerns that sparked the initiative was the worry about overuse of medication by people with mild to moderate depression. "One of football's superpowers is its ability to be inclusive: it makes us feel part of something. I want to share that as widely as possible," Dale Vince communicated through his X account.

This isn't Opher 's first foray into this type of intervention. In previous endeavors, he's successfully incorporated activities such as gardening and comedy into his medical prescriptions, and now he's looking to explore the impact of football. "I think there's something about watching football that gives you a sense of community. Football is about socializing and cheering on your team, getting excited, disconnecting from your own life for a while, and experiencing something more," the British MP asserted.

The pilot program will officially begin on August 16, coinciding with the match against Yeovil , and will run throughout the season. If the results are favorable, it could become a model that can be replicated in other regions of the United Kingdom.