The project, led by Forest Green Rovers, a 136 -year -old English fifth division club and located 170 kilometers from London, bets on the therapeutic benefits of watching matches at the stadium
An innovative initiative is gaining shape in, proposing an unconventional approach to treat light and moderate depression: free tickets for live games. The project, led by Forest Green Rovers, a 136 -year -old English fifth division club and located 170 kilometers from London, bets on the therapeutic benefits of watching matches at the stadium.
The idea is simple but powerful: Patients from medical centers near the stadium can be referred to accompany club games at no cost throughout the season, which starts in August.
According to club doctor Simon Opher, social isolation is one of the great challenges of today’s society. He states that for many people with depression, the solution is not in medication, but in the human connection. “Most people who suffer from depression don’t need medicine, they need social ties,” he says.
The program, already implemented by Forest Green Rovers, has shown promising results. The positive impact is felt not only by patients, but also by the local community. Dale Vince, the club’s owner, argues that other English teams follow the example, expanding the reach of this initiative. At a time when the use of antidepressants in the UK continues to grow, this alternative emerges as an effective option, especially for cases of mild depression.
To better understand the project’s potential, I talked to psychiatrist Marcelo Aragão and psychologist Suzy Fleury, who approved the initiative. Both pointed out that positive experiences, such as watching a soccer game, can interrupt negative thinking patterns and reactivate healthier mental schemes. “It’s a way to reconctate people with positive emotions and the community,” says Suzy.
If you take people to the stadium to vibrate with football can help relieve the weight of depression, the result is more than welcome-it’s a real great goal. This initiative shows that sometimes healing may be not only in offices, but also in the stands, where passion and human connection turn lives.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the young Pan.
