A sporting chance saved Burnley man's life

10:31am Friday 8th October 2010 in Rosegrove Photograph of the Author By Sam Chadderton, Reporter

TRANSFORMED: Steve Dickinson TRANSFORMED: Steve Dickinson

A DAD-of two who spiralled into hooliganism and depression has told of how he transformed his life thanks to a sports-based programme.

Steve Dickinson, 38, from Rosegrove, Burnley, said he was almost driven to suicide by the breakdown of his relationship with his partner.

But he was later diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and brought back from the brink.

Sunday is World Mental Health Day and Steve now helps publicise the ‘It’s a Goal!’ course, which he says ‘saved his life’.

The course is based at Turf Moor and is supported by NHS East Lancashire and Burnley FC.

It teaches skills in motivation, assertiveness and communication, using the sport as the motivator.

Steve said: “Growing up, I didn’t seem to enjoy anything and I felt I never fit in.” He turned to drink and drugs as a teenager and went from a promising young footballer on Burnley’s books, to a hooligan.

After getting medication and seeing specialists in his 20s, Steve was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a form of depression which makes a person have extremely high energy levels, followed by extreme lows.

Then his relationship hit the rocks, causing Steve’s bipolar to worsen, and he was told he may need Lithium, a mood stabilising drug.

He said: “I felt like just ending my life. It all came to a head.”

It was during this difficult time, that Steve was referred to ‘It’s a Goal!’

He said: “The course literally changed my life. It gave me structure, taught me everything from how to cope with my condition, to how to manage my bills.

"Occasionally players would come and give motivational talks.

“As a lifelong supporter, this was a huge bonus. But most importantly, I met other men just like me, who had various forms of depression.”

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Bringing up his two daughters, Charlotte, 14, and Hope, nine, on his own, Steve completed the 12-week course for men aged 16-35 and now volunteers for it.

Mark Hill, a Primary Care mental health worker and coach for ‘It’s a Goal’ said: “Steve has progressed enormously.

"He has really turned his life around.”

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Comments (9)

12:23pm Fri 8 Oct 10

Markus Spartacus says...

Bi polar disorder. ADHD. What next in the long line of "diagnoses" for people who are unwilling to take responsibility and control themselves?
Bi polar disorder. ADHD. What next in the long line of "diagnoses" for people who are unwilling to take responsibility and control themselves? Markus Spartacus

12:47pm Fri 8 Oct 10

loo82 says...

I dont think its a case of this guy crying to the local paper to get sympathy, its about promoting some publicity for a group that provides people with something positive in their lives.
I dont think its a case of this guy crying to the local paper to get sympathy, its about promoting some publicity for a group that provides people with something positive in their lives. loo82

4:42pm Fri 8 Oct 10

frank says...

bi polar isn't a joke or a reason to skive. this piece is more about the group therapy sessions which just happen to be based at burnley football club, they're just using this bloke as an example.
if i'd been well enough i'd have gone to them, doesn't make me a low life though.
too many ignorant people in the world would seem to be a big problem.
bi polar isn't a joke or a reason to skive. this piece is more about the group therapy sessions which just happen to be based at burnley football club, they're just using this bloke as an example. if i'd been well enough i'd have gone to them, doesn't make me a low life though. too many ignorant people in the world would seem to be a big problem. frank

4:59pm Fri 8 Oct 10

pinkfairyone says...

frank wrote:
bi polar isn't a joke or a reason to skive. this piece is more about the group therapy sessions which just happen to be based at burnley football club, they're just using this bloke as an example. if i'd been well enough i'd have gone to them, doesn't make me a low life though. too many ignorant people in the world would seem to be a big problem.
Yes, thats why people are throwing themselves off bridges.... I'ts staring people in the face.... but they would rather watch Deadenders than face the bloody truth... Aaargh makes me sick ! they (the ignorant masses) deserve all they get. Nobody has the right to judge people. Security word ... need-acid ..... LMAO
[quote][p][bold]frank[/bold] wrote: bi polar isn't a joke or a reason to skive. this piece is more about the group therapy sessions which just happen to be based at burnley football club, they're just using this bloke as an example. if i'd been well enough i'd have gone to them, doesn't make me a low life though. too many ignorant people in the world would seem to be a big problem.[/p][/quote]Yes, thats why people are throwing themselves off bridges.... I'ts staring people in the face.... but they would rather watch Deadenders than face the bloody truth... Aaargh makes me sick ! they (the ignorant masses) deserve all they get. Nobody has the right to judge people. Security word ... need-acid ..... LMAO pinkfairyone

6:58pm Fri 8 Oct 10

Lottie27 says...

Mental Health is one of the things that really frightens me. I know people who have had a great childhood, done extremely well throughout their education & gone on to secure a good job....then suddenly out of the blue have become very ill with mental health problems. It really can affect anyone and it impacts on the whole of their life and the people around them. Unfortunately it's not something one can 'snap out of' either. Anything that helps people with MH isues can only be a good thing, I value my mind and am grateful that it funtions in the way that it does - I hope it stays that way too. Fair play to this guy for promoting MH Day.....it's still a very difficult area for some people to understand.
Mental Health is one of the things that really frightens me. I know people who have had a great childhood, done extremely well throughout their education & gone on to secure a good job....then suddenly out of the blue have become very ill with mental health problems. It really can affect anyone and it impacts on the whole of their life and the people around them. Unfortunately it's not something one can 'snap out of' either. Anything that helps people with MH isues can only be a good thing, I value my mind and am grateful that it funtions in the way that it does - I hope it stays that way too. Fair play to this guy for promoting MH Day.....it's still a very difficult area for some people to understand. Lottie27

7:32pm Fri 8 Oct 10

pinkfairyone says...

Well said Lottie
Well said Lottie pinkfairyone

9:06pm Fri 8 Oct 10

icannotrace says...

Lottie27 wrote:
Mental Health is one of the things that really frightens me. I know people who have had a great childhood, done extremely well throughout their education & gone on to secure a good job....then suddenly out of the blue have become very ill with mental health problems. It really can affect anyone and it impacts on the whole of their life and the people around them. Unfortunately it's not something one can 'snap out of' either. Anything that helps people with MH isues can only be a good thing, I value my mind and am grateful that it funtions in the way that it does - I hope it stays that way too. Fair play to this guy for promoting MH Day.....it's still a very difficult area for some people to understand.
I also agree.
.
I've said it before "there but by the grace of God go I"
[quote][p][bold]Lottie27[/bold] wrote: Mental Health is one of the things that really frightens me. I know people who have had a great childhood, done extremely well throughout their education & gone on to secure a good job....then suddenly out of the blue have become very ill with mental health problems. It really can affect anyone and it impacts on the whole of their life and the people around them. Unfortunately it's not something one can 'snap out of' either. Anything that helps people with MH isues can only be a good thing, I value my mind and am grateful that it funtions in the way that it does - I hope it stays that way too. Fair play to this guy for promoting MH Day.....it's still a very difficult area for some people to understand.[/p][/quote]I also agree. . I've said it before "there but by the grace of God go I" icannotrace

11:38am Sat 9 Oct 10

bikerjohn_uk says...

Markus Spartacus wrote:
Bi polar disorder. ADHD. What next in the long line of "diagnoses" for people who are unwilling to take responsibility and control themselves?
Does being an idiot come naturally or do you have to practice? Mental illness is like piles - it's funny until you experience it. Then and only then do you begin to appreciate the devastating effect that mental health issues can have. A it is this guy HAS taken responsibility and is doing something about it. More power to his elbow and it makes a change to read about something positive for once. I hope for your sake that you never fall prey to anything like this - would you be as quick to dismiss it then? I doubt it.
[quote][p][bold]Markus Spartacus[/bold] wrote: Bi polar disorder. ADHD. What next in the long line of "diagnoses" for people who are unwilling to take responsibility and control themselves?[/p][/quote]Does being an idiot come naturally or do you have to practice? Mental illness is like piles - it's funny until you experience it. Then and only then do you begin to appreciate the devastating effect that mental health issues can have. A it is this guy HAS taken responsibility and is doing something about it. More power to his elbow and it makes a change to read about something positive for once. I hope for your sake that you never fall prey to anything like this - would you be as quick to dismiss it then? I doubt it. bikerjohn_uk

3:36pm Sat 9 Oct 10

stealer says...

How pleasant to read so much agreement.
Count me in, I have to deal with the problems continuously. Not mine,but a relative's !
How pleasant to read so much agreement. Count me in, I have to deal with the problems continuously. Not mine,but a relative's ! stealer

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