Steve Blackall: 'LFC course helped change my life'

A passionate Reds fan who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder has explained how Liverpool FC's Action for Health programme helped transform his life for the better. Steve Blackall was diagnosed with the disorder last year and he lost his job as a result. When he decided to look for help, Liverpool FC was a natural port of call for such a fanatical follower and with the help of the club's Men's Health Programme, Steve has made remarkable progress. "I wrote off to Liverpool FC to ask them if they did anything for people in my situation," said Steve. "And I got a phone call back explaining that they had a Men's Health programme starting the following week and I was more than welcome to go down. "We met people from the healthy eating programme, we did alcohol awareness; we discussed positive mental health and comedians came to talk confidence-building with us. The course got me out of the house and it was great to meet other people. "Some people are there just to lose a bit of weight and get a bit of advice, some people are just there to get out of the house. There's a wide variety but it's honestly not that scary at all - it's great. "Nowadays, I still have good days and bad days. "But on bad days, I try and do the things that were taught to us on the course: relaxing, sitting in the garden, sitting in a quiet room. Christine Mounsey (from the Action for Health programme) always says that if there's anything you need, or if you want someone to talk to, just phone." Steve was keen to point out the profound affect that being linked to Liverpool Football Club can have in supporting a healthy lifestyle and he insisted that the work being done by the club is vital to so many people in the community. "Obviously because it was Liverpool, it made it better for me, being a big supporter," said Steve. "But the stuff you get involved with carries a bit more clout in terms of getting people involved when it's done through the club. "It's very important that the club makes these types of courses available to people. Not just for mental wellbeing but for other stuff as well. Going on that course for the eight weeks was relaxing for me and it's really important that the club keeps it going. "The more people they can help, the better for everyone because there's not enough help for some people. Some need more help than others." When asked what he would say to someone who was in a similar situation as he was when he contacted the club, Steve replied: "Admit you've got a problem and start getting help for it. "Take whatever help you can because there are not a lot of places that can give you the help that you need. Getting out there and meeting other people, learning things along the way is crucial. "If you go down to the Liverpool FC programme, help is there. They're good people, they make you feel welcome and they look after you if you feel nervous." Mark Haig, from the LFC Foundation, supports Steve's point."Too many men in this city of ours die too early," Mark told Liverpoolfc.tv. "A lot of these deaths are preventable and it is important to seek advice early and to think about making small lifestyle changes that can have a big, positive impact on your long term health. "In partnership with Liverpool PCT and a number of community agencies, we are using the power of the LFC badge to engage with as many men as possible in relation to men's health. "Steve is just one example of a number of men who regularly attend our courses and are benefitting through advice and access to other key services in the city."