Dr. Santo Rullo : Soccer as Therapy for Mental Illness

From Newsweek (18.01.2007), Barbie Nadeau's interview with Dr. Santo Rullo :

NEWSWEEK: How do you use soccer to help treat mental illnesses?
Rullo: Soccer is used for socialization in the treatment of many mental illnesses. Since soccer is such a part of our national culture, it is a natural way to help our patients touch base with their core and their backgrounds. It gives them a sense of balance. All of our patients played soccer as children and teens; many played in organized clubs. It is not a new sport they must learn, it is almost inherent in them, and that is what makes it such a useful tool. In many ways, it helps them return to the concept of fun and play.

So soccer therapy would work best here in Italy or Brazil, or other countries where soccer is the predominant sport?
Yes, here in Italy, soccer is part of daily life and often family life. For Americans, basketball or baseball would probably work much the same.

What forms of mental illness are best treated through soccer therapy?
Our patients are primarily battling depression, schizophrenia, multiple-personality disorders and bipolar disorder.

What other sports work to treat mental illnesses?
Swimming has also been a very successful tool as part of an integrated treatment plan.

Soccer therapy... Ummmm...