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]

Ex-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] Speed hanged himself.[8][9] Five years after Enke's death his wife stated that she believed depression in sport was no longer a taboo subject.[10]

Clarke Carlisle stated that he contemplated suicide after becoming injured early in his career,[11] and in December 2014 attempted suicide due to the severe depression he was suffering from.[12][13]

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][14]

Ex-player Mickey Bennett set up an organization called Unique Sports Counselling to help footballers deal with mental health issues.[15]

In February 2016 Steve Harper spoke out about his mental health problems while in between clubs.[16] The PFA had to apologise after initially criticising his comments.[17]

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. Sion Morgan (3 July 2013). "Tragic Gary Speed's sister tells of Wales legend's secret depression". Wales Online. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  9. Allison Pearson (30 November 2011). "Gary Speed: the last taboo is the agony of distress". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  10. "Robert Enke's widow: Depression in sport is 'no longer taboo'". BBC Sport. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  11. Clarke Carlisle (9 July 2013). "Depression and suicide: Football's secret uncovered". BBC Three. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  12. "Clarke Carlisle in hospital after collision with lorry". BBC Sport. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  13. "Clarke Carlisle: Ex-PFA chairman reveals suicide attempt". BBC Sport. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  14. "Fußball: Bayern-Profi Deisler beendet Karriere" (in German). Der Spiegel. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  15. Fabio Zucchelli (24 May 2013). "Helping footballers open up about their mental health". The Sport in Mind. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  16. 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.
  17. Luke Edwards (15 February 2016). "PFA apologise to Steve Harper after labelling him 'emotional' over mental health issues". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
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