Daniel Pressello
The Courage and Strength Games, Canada
Biography
Daniel Pressello has both personal life experiences and professional experiences with mental health issues and concerns. He studied at Vancouver College of Counsellor Training, earning 16 certificates in mental health therapy courses and programs. He was studying towards his MA in Social Work, but sidelined due to on personal health issues and concerns. During the summer of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada he was suicidal, but after watching and viewing information about Prince Harry’s InVictus Games, he thought why can’t there, or is there any sporting event for everyone that is experiencing or has experienced mental health issues and concerns. As he watched athletes compete and during personal interviews heard repeatedly solders, tell their story of how they gained The Courage & Strength to face their demons, in dealing with grief and loss of comrades, or their own limbs and through support of others & sports. As indirect result of hearing and watching these soldiers tell and share their very same feeling of suicide, worthlessness, heading done the path of self-destruction. Through those soldiers and through Prince Harry, I decided not to kill myself and I just knew from that moment on, I found my reason for living and I had to, help others that may be dealing with PTSD etc., find their reason to want to live.
Abstract
Abstract : How sports can help us overcome past traumas