Former St Johnstone and Arbroath footballer Danny Powell has told how helping out with a charity in the Angus town has “changed his life” amid an ongoing battle with depression.
Danny – who also played for Brechin and Montrose – volunteers with mental health charity Reach Across.
It was founded back in 2015 by Sandra Ramsay following the tragic death of her son Ross.
The charity, who have a permanent base in Arbroath, is there for those who are struggling with mental health issues and actively organises fundraisers to continue providing as much support as possible.
It also hosts drop-in sessions that people can come along to share what’s on their mind.
Danny Powell’s story
Danny, 58, attends the facility on a Wednesday morning and helps with the newly-created man’s group, established two months ago, where men can be referred if they are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts.
His own fight with depression led to him trying to take his own life – and he is now on a mission to share his story in the hope it will help others.
“I tried to kill myself because I had depression”, Danny said.
“I’d never had anything like that before and I never knew what it was, I thought I just had the flu or a virus as I just didn’t feel right.
“All of a sudden, you just act because you don’t want to be here anymore – it all happened so quickly.
“I spent six months in Ninewells with broken bones.
“Mentally, you’ve got to get yourself right.
“There’s different forms of depression and I’m still learning things about myself, like what to avoid and what to do when you feel that way.
“You’ve got to be positive about things and that really does help but it’s not easy.
“See when you try tell someone who has depression to remain positive, they don’t really want to hear positive things, because they’re not feeling good, they don’t want to do anything and they don’t feel good about themselves.
“It’s demanding to try get folk out of it but you can come out of it – it’s not there for life.”
‘Lucky to be here’
It took Danny a long time to speak about his ordeal such was the trauma.
He added: “It was a long time ago now when I played [football] and I never had any mental health issues back then. It was only when I got to 50.
“There seems to be a point in men’s lives where their mental state changes and I am just lucky to be here.”
The group that Danny offers his support to is for men who have been referred to charity founder Sandra and she decides whether or not the club can benefit them.
He said: “It really helps me to go and assist whenever I can at the group.
“It’s got me back going out again because for two years I never left the house as a result of depression, so it’s a good way of getting out and getting involved.
“The man’s group is there for those who have been referred to Sandra who are struggling mentally or who have depression.
“We sit, chat, have a cup of coffee and a bit of toast.
“I think a lot of men don’t understand what’s happening to them, it’s not that they don’t want help, they just don’t know how to go about it.
“All of these new places that are starting up are good as guys might think to try it out.”
He added: “The man’s group at Reach Across is currently not open to everybody but I think Sandra would like to open it up.
“There are guys who have joined recently that just love it.
“It could take off but for now, we are keeping it small.”
‘I’d like to change ignorance towards depression’
Danny now relies on the help of a mobility scooter to get about following a series of leg and knee problems as a result of his ordeal.
“I shouldn’t really be walking, as a result of my accident, but I’ve managed to get back there,” Danny added.
“It’s a daily ongoing issue just to get about but I’ve got a scooter now and it’s changed my life getting out to meet folk and get a bit of fresh air.
“The scooter and Reach Across have definitely changed my life for the better.
“I’d like to change the ignorance towards depression and help people to be more understanding.
“Everyone has got their story, and have all got a tale to tell on how they have become like that.”
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org ,or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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