Well-known speakers, including Luther Blissett and radio host Russ Kane, hosted a “chat show”-style event that encouraged openness about mental health.
Watford Wellness Club was launched at an event titled Good Good Good: Don’t believe everything you think at the Pump House Theatre.
Speakers encouraged discussion and called on attendees to “drop the stigma” around mental health and recognize that “it’s okay to not be okay.”
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The event featured Watford FC legend Mr Blissett and his new community charity The Former Players Club, Mr Kane, veteran Norman McGuigan, Miss England runner-up Paige Ashton, James Lindsay of Herts Mind, the activist Antonio Ferreira, business mentor Neville Spiers and councilman Rabi Martins. .
Kane, who co-founded mental health-focused radio men’s radio stationsaid: “It was an absolute pleasure to be invited.
“What a tremendous success the night was. Wonderful atmosphere and true honesty in the room.
“I am very interested in implementing this to cover so many other aspects of mental health and wellness. Much to do and achieve”.
Rabi Martins and Neville Spiers. Image: Stephen Danzig (Image: Stephen Danzig)
The Former Players Club launched the wellness club, in collaboration with Councilor Rabi Martins, as their third Gamechanger project and another event will be held in the new year.
The evening, created and produced by Blissett’s partner Lauren Fox, took on a talk show format to provide insights on a number of topics.
These included the value of ‘mental wellbeing’ as a label, social pressures, empowerment and the importance of professional support.
Keynote speaker and business mentor Neville Spiers gave a speech about living with autism, a condition he joked he “hadn’t invented” when he was young.
The panel. Image: Stephen Danzig (Image: Stephen Danzig)
He explained how he went from not understanding why he was different to realizing that life was so much better being himself.
The format allowed guests to discuss the issues together and be interviewed about their personal stories and thoughts by the audience.
Mr. Blissett spoke about the loss and impact on well-being experienced by professional soccer players.
He explained, “You wake up and think you’re going to train. Then you remember. So, you’re going to call your teammates, but they’re all training. And it hits you.”
Norman McGuigan of Minds at War said: “The underlying factor that stood out from the stories that were told was how the participants on stage felt that the system had failed them.
Everything underway at the first Watford Wellness Club @PumpHouseCentre
Incredible opening by our presenter the legendary @RussellKane This is the #game changer start of amazing conversations about mental wellness for our community by The Former Players Club and some very special partners pic.twitter.com/ZkkxIdBIi4— Luther Blissett OBE DL (@LBliss8) October 12, 2022
“I was very impressed with host Russ Kane, his style of asking questions made me feel comfortable and connected with sports legends that I fully identify with and understand.
“I listened to Luther’s story and I could hear the pain he carries in his voice.
“You’re right, grassroots education is imperative. We must not hide behind our smile, it is time to take off the mask and be proud, delivery is the way to go.
“Let go of the stigma, drop the mask, provide education.”
Miss England runner-up Paige Ashton spoke about the conflict between her pageant life and high-functioning depression before James Lindsay and Antonio Ferreira opened up about their own diagnosis of mental illness.
Paige Ashton. Image: Stephen Danzig (Image: Stephen Danzig)
Mr Lindsay had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and spoke about his lived experience overcoming mental illness, as well as his marketing work for the Herts Mind charity.
Mr. Ferreira joined him and spoke about his work campaigning against racism and changing the way we view and approach mental health.
He also explained the traumatic experience he faced as a teenager when he was diagnosed with undifferentiated schizophrenia, emotionally unstable personality disorder, and experienced auditory hallucinations.
Mr. Blissett took to Twitter throughout the evening, calling the speakers “inspiring,” adding that they provided “incredible insight” and labeling Mr. Lindsay a “hero.”
This young man is a hero. @JamesLindsay23 explaining his story. A nonjudgmental space to talk about mental wellness is providing a lot of inspiration 👏🏾 @hertsmind @Observer_Owl pic.twitter.com/P67p8MwMLT
— Luther Blissett OBE DL (@LBliss8) October 12, 2022
Beth Sandler then introduced the audience to her organization Herts Schools Outreach, a program that helps young people understand and access mental wellness support.
He explained the influence of social networks and the importance of protection, since school children are “losing themselves” in the world.
Cllr Martins said, “As a mental health advocate, my mantra is ‘It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s very important to talk about it.’
“I think the Watford Wellness Club will encourage and facilitate dialogue in Watford.
So proud to have met this inspiring young man. @Antothenio . Eastenders portrayed his #Schizophrenia story through Isaac. He is a mental health activist and I can’t wait to work with him. What a game changer he is. 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/lM2wDNVOET
— Luther Blissett OBE DL (@LBliss8) October 12, 2022
“I want to thank The Former Players Club for partnering with me, without whose creativity and support we could not have assembled such a powerful panel of speakers and given Watford Wellness Club such a promising start.”
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