Help football team beat the stigma of mental illness (From Daily Echo)

Help football team beat the stigma of mental illness

2:50pm Monday 30th January 2012 in Health By Melanie Adams, Health Reporter

THEY have already triumphed away at Manchester United, but now they are scouting for more Saints to ensure victories against future opponents and mental illness.

Southfield Saints has already helped to transform the lives of many of its players who have been affected by mental health problems, using the beautiful game to tackle the ugly stigma attached to their illnesses.

But the successful team, which is supported by Totton AFC and the Saints Foundation, is on the hunt for more players to help keep the wins coming.

The team was the brainchild of Paul Willis, an occupational therapist technician for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, to help improve the physical and mental health of its squad and to break down the barriers around mental illness.

Phil Day, who has battled stress related depression for more than ten years, is just one player who has had his life transformed by the team. The 33-year-old from Dibden Purlieu said: “I have played for the team for six months and my motivation and confidence has soared. With my problems I found it difficult to find a routine but the team has given me something positive to focus on, something I could look forward to no matter how bad things get.”

Some players, like Phil, suffer from mental illness, but others don’t and anyone with a love for football is invited to sign up to the team that has won the support of Wayne Rooney.

Team manager Paul said: “This club has done so much good for so many people already but we know there are countless more within the community who could benefit from joining our team.

“The transformation for some of our players has been amazing. They feel better and more confident by becoming part of a tight knit squad that support and encourage each other.

“We’re a team and on the pitch no one knows who has the mental health condition or who does not – it simply doesn’t matter. People with an illness can often feel left out, it can be hard socially – that’s where we can make a difference.”

To get involved, email Paul at southfieldsaints@gmail.com