A man who has spent years battling mental health issues says the regular walks set up with his friend around Spalding are having more of a positive impact on him than any treatment he’s had before.
Paul and Wes have launched Walk If Off in the town with the idea of men getting together just to talk and enjoy a bit of exercise.
Wes’s problems culminated in him attempting to take his own life nine months ago.
Thankfully, he survived and now wants others to join him and Paul on works every Monday at 9.30pm and on Tuesdays alternately at 9.30am and 4pm from outside the gates to the Sir Halley Stewart Field. Next Tuesday’s is at 4pm.
“I’ve spoken to mental health groups and asked if there’s a real need for mental health support for men in this area and they all say absolutely,” said Wes. “I’ve struggled with my mental health since I was 12 or 13.
“I’ve been through various health services and ended up in Boston crisis centre, but nothing has worked as well for me personally as this.
“Just talking about my mental health has been great.
“I’ve learned if things aren’t going well to just get away and go for a walk. That’s where all this has come from.”
Wes and Paul met through football, the latter a well known referee on the local scene.
Wes has recently been given a job by organising pitch bookings at Spalding United, something he says he loves.
Paul has a history of mental health issues in his family and feels he’s had periods where he’s turned to alcohol as a result of it, without realising it at the time.
“We’ve got to try and erase the stigma of mental health and get more men talking about their mental health problems,” he said. “It’s so easy to clam up or tell someone to ‘man up’ That’s a horrible term and instead of ‘man up’ it can eventually be ‘man down’.
“I’ve seen the effect that losing someone through mental health problems can have on young families.
“We’re here to say ‘walk it off mate’ instead, just like if you get a knock in football.
“We’re not professionals, but we can also direct people to them to get the relevant help if needed. We’re not the answer, but we are an option; not just a walk but an opportunity to talk.”
They’re joined on many occasions by John Herd who they’ve nicknamed ‘the navigator’.
“It’s a good excuse to get out of the house and talking to others, he said.
