Gus’ Story: Saints By Your Side & St Mary’s Marathons
For World Mental Health Day, we’re sharing the story of Gus, whose engagement with Saints Foundation has helped keep his mental health in check.
A fan’s bond with their home ground is a special one, and Gus’ love for St Mary’s runs even deeper than most. Living just a stone’s throw from the home of the Saints, he’s making trips to the stadium on more than just matchdays. When the floodlights are off and the stands have fallen silent, St Mary’s is a “safe space” for him – a place where he’s done a lot of work on his mental and physical health, both alone and with Saints Foundation by his side.
Gus has suffered with mental health issues throughout his life, including anxiety, depression and PTSD. He puts a lot of effort into managing his wellbeing and has found two things essential for this – exercising and talking. He’s had opportunities to do both these things with Saints Foundation. After engaging in men’s fitness programme Saints Goal, Gus also signed up for Saints By Your Side, attending 12 weeks of group sessions at the stadium where men learn coping strategies and talk about their mental health.
“My mental health would go up and down,” Gus reflects. “What I have always needed, and where Saints By Your Side benefitted me, is to be around other guys who are having mental health struggles in one way or another. One of the great things about Saints By Your Side is that it shows you’re not the only one, and you’re part of a group that all struggles, so you start to feel more comfortable and the conversation can open up.”
Gus’ group would meet on Thursday evenings in the Saints Foundation Lounge, above the Chapel Stand at St Mary’s. Sessions are led by our three-strong wellbeing team – T, Jack and Flavia – who Gus describes as “the best, supportive human beings”. They met weekly for three months but Gus’ group has kept in contact since, meeting up regularly.
The success of Saints By Your Side lies in the camaraderie created by participants. “You start to get to know each other… there’s a little bit of light-hearted banter, but nothing toxic because they’ve got a set of guidelines about the way they talk to each other,” Gus says. “You’ve always got that common factor of the football club you’re all supporters of.”
Being at the stadium was a big positive for Gus. St Mary’s has become an important place for Gus and his mental health since COVID, when he ran laps around the ground to stay close to home during lockdown. It remains his most regular running route.
“The running keeps me physically healthy but even more importantly it clears my head,” he says. “I probably do a 5km around the stadium twice a week. I’ve actually done marathons round the stadium three times. In 2020, I was part of the biggest virtual marathon in the world, and I ended up with a small share of a Guinness World Record – and I did that round the stadium.” A marathon around St Mary's alone is no mean feat, equating to 65 laps.
Saints By Your Side accepts registrations for any men living in Southampton via our online form, and Gus encourages anyone struggling to seek out the programme. “You are not alone. We are facing a situation where certain NHS programmes are overloaded but there are programmes like Saints By Your Side where you can come and meet other men who are in the same boat, and talk – and talking will save lives.”
“Take a chance to look at this programme, have a chat with the guys, they’re really supportive. Come with an open mind and it could have a massive difference to how you see and handle things.”
