Emergency is not a word or situation that many in football would necessarily associate with mental ill health. However, psychiatric symptoms can cause a range of situations in which a player or coach is in a situation of imminent risk. This may be through behaviour caused by intense personal distress or suicidal intention, through self-neglect or even situations in which others are at risk. Mental ill health can cause physical health emergencies too; for example through extreme changes in eating or drinking (including in the context of eating disorder). These situations can all constitute emergencies where immediate intervention is required.

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