Mental health in association football

The subject of mental health in association football has been described as a "stigma" in the sport,[1] although other professional sports are also affected.[2] Professional footballers suffer more from symptoms of depression and anxiety than the general public.[3]

Former professional players Robert Enke and Gary Speed have committed suicide; both suffered from depression. Enke threw himself in front of a train.[4][5][6][7] Five years after Enke's death his wife stated that she believed depression in sport was no longer a taboo subject.[8] Speed hanged himself.[9][10] In September 2018 his wife said that she a discovered a letter written by Speed as a teenager which hinted at his long-term depression.[11]

Clarke Carlisle stated that he contemplated suicide after becoming injured early in his career,[12] and in December 2014 attempted suicide due to the severe depression he was suffering from.[13][14]

Sebastian Deisler was hospitalized after being unable to cope with the pressures of professional football, eventually retiring from the sport at the age of 27.[7][15]

Ex-player Mickey Bennett set up an organization called Unique Sports Counselling to help footballers deal with mental health issues.[16]

In February 2016 Steve Harper spoke out about his mental health problems while in between clubs.[17] The PFA had to apologise after initially criticising his comments.[18]

In February 2018 David Cox stated that he had been mocked by both players and fans for discussing his mental health problems.[19]

In March 2018, the UK government announced plans to deal with mental health in professional sports.[20]

In April 2018 The Secret Footballer, an anonymous former Premier League player, talked about his depression.[21]

In June 2018, England international Danny Rose stated that he had been diagnosed with depression.[22]

In September 2018, professional footballer Marvin Sordell suggested that clubs should have full-time counsellors to assist players with depression and other mental health issues.[23] Later that month Anthony Knockaert also revealed his struggles with mental health issues,[24] as did David Cotterill.[25]

In October 2018, Michael Carrick announced that he had suffered from depression for 2 years following the defeat in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final.[26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Football's Suicide Secret". BBC Three. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. ↑ Clare Murphy (11 November 2009). "The pressures of professional play". BBC News. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Fifpro study shows players suffer more mental issues than public". BBC Sport. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  4. ↑ "Goalkeeper suicide stuns football". BBC Sport. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Sarah Crompton (27 September 2011). "Tragedy of goalkeeper Robert Enke's secret struggle". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Suicide keeper battled depression". BBC Sport. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  7. 1 2 Patrick Andersson (11 November 2009). "A personal tribute to Robert Enke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Robert Enke's widow: Depression in sport is 'no longer taboo'". BBC Sport. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Sion Morgan (3 July 2013). "Tragic Gary Speed's sister tells of Wales legend's secret depression". Wales Online. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Allison Pearson (30 November 2011). "Gary Speed: the last taboo is the agony of distress". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "Gary Speed: Old letter hinted that 'maybe mental illness was always there'". BBC Sport. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  12. ↑ Clarke Carlisle (9 July 2013). "Depression and suicide: Football's secret uncovered". BBC Three. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Clarke Carlisle in hospital after collision with lorry". BBC Sport. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Clarke Carlisle: Ex-PFA chairman reveals suicide attempt". BBC Sport. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "Fußball: Bayern-Profi Deisler beendet Karriere" (in German). Der Spiegel. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  16. ↑ Fabio Zucchelli (24 May 2013). "Helping footballers open up about their mental health". The Sport in Mind. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  17. ↑ Luke Edwards (12 February 2016). "Sunderland goalkeeper Steve Harper: I was out of work and felt myself slipping back into a dark hole". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  18. ↑ Luke Edwards (15 February 2016). "PFA apologise to Steve Harper after labelling him 'emotional' over mental health issues". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  19. ↑ "Players taunted footballer over depression". BBC Sport. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  20. ↑ "Mental health action plan for elite athletes put in place by government". BBC Sport. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  21. ↑ "The Secret Footballer: I want to 'out' myself - but fear I'll be sued". BBC Sport. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  22. ↑ "World Cup 2018: England's Danny Rose reveals depression diagnosis". BBC Sport. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  23. ↑ "Marvin Sordell calls for full-time counsellors in football clubs". BBC Sport. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  24. ↑ "Anthony Knockaert: Brighton & Hove Albion winger reveals mental health struggles". BBC Sport. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  25. ↑ Chris Wathan (24 September 2018). "David Cotterill: Wales winger opens up about depression". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  26. ↑ "Michael Carrick: 'I was depressed for two years after Champions League final defeat'". BBC Sport. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
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