“Before I came here, I was in a bad moment, locking myself away at home with high anxiety and not speaking to anyone.
“Now, my self-confidence is increased, I am mingling and talking to people and am no longer thinking about anxiety or depression.”
For Andrei, Wolves Foundation’s Head 4 Health project has been a gamechanger. And talking of games, not only has he benefitted from the regular H4H programme of conversation and workshops and Extra Time provision, but also the weekly football sessions which the group are able to enjoy at the Aldersley Arena.
Physical health can often serve as a powerful accompaniment to mental health, and that has certainly been the case for Andrei.
Last week, he took part in a special tournament organised by Foundation staff as part of Head 4 Health, involving several other teams from the Midlands, to help highlight Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from 12th to 18th May.
“Coming to Head 4 Health has helped me so much, from helping me out of this bad situation when I was just stuck at home and not talking with anyone,” said Andrei, who also has a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism.
“Head 4 Health got me out of my shell, to start talking and mingling, and slowly and surely my confidence increased.
“Then came the football, which is something I love, and that has also made such a difference over the last year.
“So, my football improved, as well as my mental health, and when I first started coming I weighed 45kg, and now I am 81.
“I just want to thank Dan, Steve and everyone involved from the Foundation, because without Head 4 Health I would still be really struggling.
“With mental health there are always relapses, and tough moments, but I know now I have this support.
“If ever I don’t show up to something or don’t respond the staff will always check up on me and see that I am alright.
“It is so important to have organisations like this that promote and talk about mental health.”
Dan Webster and Steve Maiden, as mentioned by Andrei, are health officers with the Foundation who oversee H4H, and it was Dan who led on the organisation of the tournament.
Other clubs and organisations from across the Midlands were invited, with teams taking part from Aston Villa Foundation, Sands United, for men who share the grief of the loss of a baby, and Mental Health FC, a Sunday League team for men to come together and play football.
“We decided to organise a tournament in advance of Mental Health Awareness Week for men from across the Midlands to come together and enjoy some fun and competitive football,” said Dan.
“We know from the experiences of Andrei and other participants from Head 4 Health just how important football and physical exercise can be to help improve their mental health, and the football sessions are always very popular.
“The tournament went really well and it was great to see so many players come together to enjoy a fun competition alongside getting out and about and meeting new people.”
In a link to another Foundation project, the referees on the day were students who are pursuing a BTEC qualification at the Football & Education Academy at the City of Wolverhampton College.
Meanwhile all players in attendance received a medal of participation and Andrei, who played in goal, put in a strong performance.
“Goalkeeper, the hardest job,” he said with a chuckle. “If you make a mistake it ends up being a goal!”
Head 4 Health is a Premier League and Professional Footballers Association funded project with additional funding from City of Wolverhampton Council.
The project aims to improve the mental wellbeing of adults through informal but educational workshops and physical activity.
For more details email healthadmin@wolves.co.uk.
