Football and Mental Health

A few years ago when I was involved in developing the SHIFT programme for the now defunct NIMH(E), I spent a considerable amount of time working with the F.A., the Premier League, P.F.A., and Sporting Chance trying to encourage the world of football to engage in a mental health anti-stigma campaign.  I have to say it felt like pushing water uphill and running down blind alleys.

I remember meeting with one of Abramovich’s people at Chelsea (he’s no longer there), who actually did not believe the stats we gave him concerning the amount of people affected by mental health problems, and refused to commit Chelsea’s support for the programme.

Fortunately, things have moved on since then with a number of clubs involved in some really good initiatives, but regrettably there is still much to be done.  Sadly, it could well have taken the untimely death of Gary Speed to finally ensure meaningful progress is made, but then at least perhaps Gary’s death will not have been in vain, and at last thousands of people may gain access that previously wasn’t available, to the help and support that’s needed.

Whilst the reaction of the world of football and sporting media has been both moving and full of compassion, it also highlights a total lack of understanding of many of the aspects around mental illness and depression.

Those of us who regularly visit the edge of the abyss know exactly what drives someone to suicide.  We also know why all too often the friends and loved ones left behind end up wondering why.  When you are cursed with Depression you also know you can benefit greatly by talking with others who have experienced the same dark thoughts as you, and that whilst mental health professional therapists and counsellors have an important role to play, they are often unable to provide the complete answers.

It has never ceased to amaze me how football clubs spend millions on footballers, and know whilst no expense is spared looking after their physical health, such scant regard is paid to their mental health.  Many of us have spent years trying to educate the world of football – perhaps now they will emulate the fantastic STATE OF MIND campaign which is taking place in Rugby, and Gary’s tragic death may well save the lives of very many others.

GOD BLESS YOU GARY SPEED – May you rest in peace............

Tony Russell

Shame on the Media

I have often wondered why the media have been giving the Government such an easy ride over the NHS Reforms.  Broadcasters, presenters and writers have all been far from challenging when interviewing Department of Health Ministers, and Lansley has been given a virtual free reign with his plans to dismantle the NHS as we know it.  But things seem to have taken a more sinister turn as the disasterous and shambolic Bill enters the final stages of its journey through the House of Lords.

I have no doubt in my mind that the current glut of negative stories about the poor quality of care at the moment is part of a co-ordinated campaign, and a cynical attempt to convince the public that the Government is doing the right thing.

It would appear the media, generally speaking, is taking the Government line, and therefore, just as responsible as Lansley and his lackies for the destruction of our much loved and cherished institution that the NHS is.

Personally, I  think it’s frightening that such a universally despised piece of legislation can make its’ way on to the statute book, something the vast amount of doctors, nurses, individually and collectively through their professional representative bodies have voiced their concern about, and yet their views have been totally ignored.  It makes me question just how much of a democracy we actually live in, though I’ve long since stopped believing in motherhood and apple pie.  Indeed the breathtaking arrogance, or is it stupidity of this Government is both frightening and difficult to comprehend.

Tony Russell

Heart or Head

Many things change over the course of a lifetime, jobs, careers, partners, homes etc., the only thing you never change is your football team.  I was adopted, and never really did much with my dad, however he did one thing that has had an ever lasting effect on my life.  He took me to Stamford Bridge for my first football match back in 1967 nearly 45 years ago, and I have been a loyal Chelsea fan ever since.

During the course of those 45 years, I guess like many others, I have had a pretty eventful and sometimes traumatic time, and the one constant thing has been watching Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, through bad times, and more recently good times.

Whatever’s been going on in my life, marriage, the birth of my children, divorce, career change, marriage, divorce again, then breakdown, before what is very definetly my final marriage, so much upheaval and change, but always the one constant has been going to watch my beloved Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.  For me, like so many football fans  I suspect, watching my team has played a major part in my life.

When Roman Abramovich took over from Ken Bates I had very mixed emotions.  The uncertainty of Chelsea’s future was replaced by a different kind of uncertainty.  I decided I would reserve my judgement on the takeover, and just wait to see the actions of Roman Abramovich, after all, as the old saying goes, ‘actions speak louder than words’ – not that there have been many words  from our current owner.

Ken Bates was, and is still, a controversial figure, and people were either for him or very much against him.  Personally, there is no doubt in my mind that he saved C.F.C., and we may well have not continued to exist in the way that we did if it were not for old grey beard.  There is no doubt in my mind he had C.F.C.’s best interests at heart, though I would concede not all Chelsea fans would agree with me.

It could be argued when the Shed was torn down and the ground redeveloped, it was the beginning of the end for the Chelsea I grew up with, and obviously the club changed beyond all recognition within a very short space of time with Roman’s takeover.

The current attempt by Roman to buy back the C.P.O. shares has forced me to think a great deal about my feelings for the club, and there is no doubt in my mind it has divided opinion amongst my fellow Chelsea fans , some of whom have already become entrenched in their views.  I do hope that whatever the outcome we can all respect each other’s opinions, and unite behind the club we all love.

That said, I personally really don’t know what to think.  I, like many other long term fans have a lot of memories invested in Stamford Bridge, and my heart tells me it’s not that easy to want to leave there and move on, something which I suspect younger and newer fans could accept more easily.  However my head tells me that Chelsea must seek a new home if we are to compete with the elite in the future. My head also tells me Roman is doing what’s best for our club and it is the only realistic option.

My problem is because  of my personal experience with Messrs. Buck and Gourlay,  I have some nagging doubts.  Practically, I don’t understand the sudden rush which leads to  lack of time for a proper debate around the buying back of  the C.P.O. shares, but more deeply than that for me, it requires a huge leap of faith, to put my trust in a man who to my knowledge has said nothing to the fans since he bought the club, and who by the way, is currently engaged in a legal battle which could see him lose as much as a third of his wealth, if the papers are to be believed.

And finally,  most of all, C.P.O. was put in place to ensure Chelsea’s future was secure.  If that scheme is removed, how secure is our future ?  I don’t know the answer, these are just questions going through my mind.

Tony Russell

PARK ART – September 2012 - Coming to A Green Space Near You !!

Less than a year from now, September 2012 will see the launch of PARK ART, which will be Reflections Art in Health Charity’s first national fund-raising event.  At a time when fund-raising is becoming increasingly difficult, we are attempting to raise funds so that we can continue to showcase the creative talents of people with mental health problems. 

Raising funds for mental health generally is always difficult, as sadly despite the devastating effect of mental illness, it’s a cause that is very poorly supported.  If you add to that the fact that we are concentrating on the narrow focus of art and its’ value in aiding recovery and enhancing the healing environment, you can  imagine just what an uphill task we face, particularly as we don’t have all the resources of the big mental health charities.

Nevertheless, we are up for the challenge as we believe in the cause, and know only too well how much the creative arts can help people.  Fortunately already we are not alone as NHS Employers and The Mental Health Network have agreed to partner us, as well as a number of professional football clubs.

So on various Sundays throughout next September a number of NHS Trusts including:- South West London and St. George’s Mental Health Trust, 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Humber NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust,  Bradford District Care Trust, RDASH Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will stage a series of co-ordinated events celebrating the visual and performing arts,  together with fund-raising events for the charity, and will involve both those who use their services as well as those who work in them

At this early stage you can help by:-

• Pledging your support for PARK ART
• Registering for participation  in sponsored laps at the event
• Declare your interest in purchasing an event T-shirt
• Tell us about your own ideas for fund-raising on behalf of Reflections Art in Health Charity.
• Volunteer to help with event co-ordination at your local Trust.
• Share your talents ! Art, Music, Poetry -  All Creativity in the Park  !  Volunteer performances, or bring along pieces of artwork for display
• Take  an interest in twitter  @reflections9  @tonyr2011 , please promote the events, our website, the cause, and What It’s All About !

We need your support to make this work - please help !!

Tony Russell

A Blow To Democracy

Over the next day or so  the proposed boundary changes will be announced, which will result in a reduction in M.P.'s from 650 to 600.  And given the general antipathy there is towards our M.P.'s, particularly since the expenses scandal, I suspect there will be very few tears shed in sympathy.  Indeed I suspect the hard of thinking will positively rejoice in a reduction of what are perceived to be a bunch of free loading politicians.

Quite apart from the fact that there has been a General Election since the expenses scandal, and rules have been tightened to prevent history repeating itself, there are a vast number of new M.P.'s who should, in all fairness, be untarnished by the actions of their predecessors.

In the past, I too, may well have been equally as pleased to see less M.P.'s, but having spent quite a bit  of time with M.P.'s  over the past six months, I have come to realise there are a large number of thoroughly decent hard working M.P.'s, and whilst they are never going to be able to please everybody, we should take comfort in knowing that they are doing their best.

There is indeed a much bigger issue at stake here, because I firmly believe a reduction in M.P.'s is a major dent in what, in my opinion, is already a fragile democracy, and let me tell you why.  Boundary changes resulting in a reduction of M.P.'s obviously means the remaining incumbents have a larger area to cover and more constituents to represent.  Now, we get the M.P.'s we deserve, and those of us who take more of an interest in what our elected representatives are doing than the latest goings on in the tv soaps, will both expect and want our M.P. to have enough time to attend to our problems, and the issues we feel strongly about if needed.

Make no mistake, I am no apologist for M.P.'s, in fact I used to say  they are all the same, they have all the answers when in opposition, and all the excuses when in power.  But like I said, I know different now, and whilst, just as in every other profession there will be a few bad apples, we should not make the mistake of tarring them all with the same brush.

I no longer judge politicians along party lines, but rather by the sincerity of their actions.  Like I said, we get the M.P.'s we deserve, and it's down to us to keep them on their toes by taking more of an interest in what they are doing.

Tony Russell