Prop Greg Bateman has revealed how he has set a target of raising £1million for mental health initiatives after his own struggles with depression and anxiety.
The 31-year-old joined Dragons after a summer move from Leicester Tigers and made his second appearance for the region at Ulster.
The prop has settled quickly into life at the region despite joining in an unprecedented situation during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, lockdown has also given Bateman the opportunity to concentrate on life away from the field – including the launch of People’s Captain on November 4 as he looks to make a difference.
“Rugby is one of the best jobs in the world - but it doesn't last forever,” said Bateman. “I have had an interest in business for a long time and have done lots of different things, and a hobby had always been craft brewing.
“I did a few brews with local brewers in Leicester and called it the People’s Captain, because that is one of my self-proclaimed nicknames.
“I made a couple of beers that just went really, really well and then during lockdown I had the opportunity to rethink everything and have a good look at it."
In the summer of 2019, Bateman posted on social media about how he had been affected by depression and anxiety. The front rower revealed that he had taken medication along with talk therapy “to start levelling me out”.
And following his own experiences, Bateman - who studied business administration at De Montfort University in Leicester – has now set himself the £1million target, through the business and fundraising events, to help those suffering from similar issues.
“I said that if I was going to do something again and run my own ship again, I needed to have a purpose that's something bigger than just flogging cans of beer,” he said.
“I have had my difficulties with mental health in the past and I decided that as part of the process we would set up the People’s Captain Foundation.
"We want to raise £1million for mental health initiatives, whether they are existing or new ones.
“I am in a space now where I am in a much better place to do something about it, so I am pretty fired up for it.
“The weird thing about depression and anxiety is that I thought I was probably the only one who had ever felt that way,” he added. “It’s only through talking to a few mates that I realised it was a way bigger issue.
“I just thought that if I felt like a bit of a fool for a week for being open about how I was feeling, and it helped one person feel that they are not on their own then it’s entirely worth doing.”
For more information on Greg's campaign and the People's Captain Foundation click HERE
I have had my difficulties with mental health in the past and I decided that as part of the process we would set up the People’s Captain Foundation...
