'Wolves mental health project saved my life'

John Martin said Head 4 Health was the best thing that had ever happened to him

A man who considered taking his own life on two occasions said a mental health charity run by Wolves had saved him.

John Martin, 68, was struggling with work and family issues in 2018 when he felt it got too much to deal with.

He said getting involved with a project called Head 4 Health, run by the Wolves Foundation, was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

"Without them I wouldn't be here now, something would have happened," he said.

Head 4 Health meets at Molineux and aims to improve the wellbeing of adults through workshops, walks and discussions.

Mr Martin, from Oxley, joined the project nearly four years ago and said it had given him a safe space to talk to others.

"I haven't got to worry about what I say, it stays within the room," he added.

David Lees said the support from the project helped him look to the future

David Lees, 59, from Fallings Parks, Wolverhampton, said he had struggled after he lost his brother and sister in 2022.

Since joining Head 4 Health, talking and meeting up with people from the foundation had helped him feel better along with support from his family, he said.

"I've been going to these meetings to fight what's going on inside.

"I wasn't looking forward to the future, I was just scared and coming here has helped me contain my anger."

Rachel Smith said Molineux provided a relaxed setting for people to talk

Head 4 Health was set up nearly five years ago to provide mental health support for men.

The project is now open to any adult over the age of 18 who wants to improve their wellbeing.

Health and wellbeing manager at the Wolves Foundation, Rachel Smith, said the initiative offered face-to-face conversations and support.

"It creates an opportunity for people to access support in light-touch ways," she said.

Ms Smith added running the initiative at Molineux Stadium could be less daunting for people to get support, compared to visiting a clinical setting.

"The sessions that we run, there is a nice view of the pitch and that's a lot of the time the first talking point."

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