TODAY (Thursday, 8 September) is Suicide Prevention Day and to mark it a Thurrock resident has told his story  - about how he managed to triumph over adversity and, with help, get his life back on track. 

Chris Shields is the founder of Turning Corners which is a borough-based community football project that brings together men of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to become part of a community and to talk with like-minded men who have experienced substance misuse, social exclusion, mental health issues, or just love to play football.  

Originally from Morecambe in Lancashire, Chris didn't have an easy upbringing and had issues with alcohol, drugs, gambling and had seen three of his friends die as a result of their addiction issues.  

After becoming clean, he set up the project in collaboration with health and care organisations in mid and south Essex to help people who had similar struggles to himself.  

Turning Corners has now gone from strength to strength with over 50 people from the ages of 18 upwards meeting at Lakeside Sports Ground every Friday. Chris has also set up a WhatsApp group for the club, during the pandemic, which helps group members who are struggling.  

Chris said: 'When I was using drugs, drinking alcohol and gambling, I had no direction, I had no purpose and basically my life was just heading nowhere. I felt I was destined to die, or lose my mind, end up in an institutions or jail, but I've turned off the road just in time with so much help from so many different people. 

"In spite of my own struggles, I'm able to help others to fit into a group that's good for them. It's a safe environment for people to grow and to find some happiness in their lives." 

Chris has now been clean and sober for a number of years and he puts it down to the people who have supported him including "his little warrior Nana" who supported him up until her passing from cancer as well as local health and care professionals from Riverside Community, Thurrock Council and Inclusion Visions Thurrock. 

Richard Jacklin was Chris's Community Connector at Inclusion Visions Thurrock and has supported and worked with Chris and Active Essex to initially set up Turning Corners.

He said: "The development beyond just football has been extraordinary. It's a community of recovery, of people who help each other not just with addictions, but also mental health and that is extremely powerful. Chris is using his lived experience to help other people and with his ability to draw people in he has exceeded my expectations; I couldn't be prouder." 

Alfred Bandakpara-Taylor, Deputy Director Adult Mental Health for NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board said: "The work Chris has been doing with Turning Corners to support other men's mental health, as well as his own, is truly inspirational. We know that in the UK suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 which is why community projects like this are so important in enabling men to support each other and to breakdown the stigma. Chris is a credit to his community, and I hope Turning Corners continues to grow and change lives." 

Watch a short video on Chris' story and Turning Corners:

Those interested in joining Turning Corners can contact Chris on Facebook.