CHRIS Kerr may be a ‘former Antrim goalkeeper’ but he’s determined to be a future St Gall’s number one, working hard to get back playing again after a serious knee injury.
He’s now well-known for his advocacy about mental health and well-being, having opened up about his anxiety and depression following the death of his father in 2013.
The ongoing lockdown brings its challenges to all, but Kerr continues to work on both his physical and mental health, and offer advice to others. During this Mental Health Awareness Week he recalls his journey:
“I suffered badly with depression and anxiety for a few years following the passing of my dad - this was in amongst me trying to play, manage and hide this whilst being a county footballer and playing in a highly successful club team.
“One of the tips I was told when I was seeking help was to keep a journal. Coming from west Belfast the suicide rates across the city, in particular in young men are extremely high – I felt that if I could share what I went through, how I was feeling and how I went to seek help, that this could help someone else reach out for help, then that was all I wanted to do.
“From that schools, clubs and organisations have invited me to share my story and experiences as a lot of people can resonate with what I went through as a lot of people have either lost or are going to lose a parent throughout their lifetime.
“I just want to reiterate the message to do something about your mental and to seek help before it escalates. I want to help as many people as possible or raise as much awareness around the topic as possible so that it can become [seen] as normal as a physical injury.
“Since seeking help and a road of recovery I have been great; all aspects of my life have improved massively and it’s just a reminder to people that there is always light at the end of the tunnel and a problem shared is a problem halved.”
Physically, Kerr has been availing of physiotherapy clinics at Kingsbridge in Belfast for three years now and in particular the last year after rupturing his ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] playing a match for St Gall’s. I got in touch with lead physio Shea McAleer and he set me out a pre-operative programme which was the foundation of my recovery, with the main goal of return to play. Shea has left no stone unturned with his meticulous approach to rehab and it has been reassuring both physically and mentally that a physio of Shea’s calibre is advising me every step of the way.”
Social distancing has temporarily stopped face-to-face consultations but Kerr has been availing of Kingsbridge’s video tele-health sessions:
“We are all struggling or adapting to live with the restrictions surrounding Covid19 – I have received great benefits from the tele-health consultations with Shea. The main factor is the amount of information that can be given across a call – with notes that can be taken, it has been extremely valuable. Shea has also been able to demonstrate exercises and use visual cues with whiteboards while explaining on-pitch drills.
“I find them very beneficial and it shows how well the physiotherapy department has adapted to change and still able to deliver high quality rehab programmes.”
Lockdown hasn’t curtailed his recovery, in fact quite the opposite, he insists: “I have been able to continue my rehab really well during this period; it is giving me extra time to do more work on the operated knee and the surrounding muscles. I have access to my own weights and gym equipment and have been able to continue my running and return to play movement on a pitch. Shea has progressed my programme on a steady progression and I have had no other injuries or niggles throughout the rehab process.
“I’ve enjoyed it all to be honest. It’s important with an injury such as an ACL rupture that you have faith in the physio doing the rehab. The CV that Shea possesses, and knowing he came from a sport background, was a massive boost not just physically when completing the rehab but mentally knowing that Shea has rehabbed professional athletes back from similar injuries. The knowledge I have gained also for structuring my training and rehab is second to none, to prevent any secondary injuries.
“The level of care, the calibre of physios, and the detail and quality of the rehab programmes are second to none… I couldn’t say enough about the Kingsbridge Physiotherapy team and in particular lead physio Shea McAleer. I feel with Shea’s help and guidance that I will return to Gaelic football better and stronger than before I was 33 when I ‘did’ my ACL.
Even if he weren’t rehabbing from a serious knee injury Kerr would recommend exercise during these difficult times in order to maintain good mental health:
“Some of the tips I would use myself are staying as active as possible - I don’t go two days without doing some form of exercise. It might not have to be a gruelling training session, sometimes just a walk with headphones in.
“Having close friends or family members whom you can confide in about whatever issue you may have, sleeping well, and a well-balanced diet are brilliant also. Staying connected with friends, through Zoom, Facetime or even a call.
“I think this time has highlighted to us all who is important and who means something to them, which brings me to my last point:
“Anyone who is negative or not adding value to your life, distance yourself [from them] as this can be very zapping and can be detrimental on your mental health… Unfortunately you find out who your real or true friends are when you’re struggling and that’s something I definitely found out – I know who they are, though contact may not be every day, but they show an interest and check in and it’s something I try and replicate also by checking in on friends and family.”
The benefits of exercise are enormous as regards mental health, Kerr insists: “Absolutely huge. I tried various methods of treatment to try and help combat depression and anxiety. I tried counselling and medication and got great joy with CBT [cognitive behaviour therapy] counselling but some of the greatest benefits are through exercise - you never feel bad after a session.
“The toughest part can be setting an alarm to get up to do it or sometimes the thought of doing it, but the feel-good factor and release of endorphins into the system can do so much for boosting your mood and making you feel good about yourself both physically and mentally.
“I place a lot of value on good nutrition and having a well-balanced diet: if you eat rubbish you will feel rubbish. Having good meals and plenty of water can also improve your mood. I plan my meals and meal prep a few times a week – this goes hand in hand with exercise and can make you feel good about yourself.”
* Kingsbridge are offering one free video conferencing tele-health physiotherapy session to all NHS staff; booking is easy, simply email physio@kingsbridgehealthcaregroup. Offer ends May 31, 2020.
