Do Premier League football players suffer from mental health issues?
Premier League football players are considered invincible super humans, clashing in an epic fight for glory. But beneath the hard surface, they can also suffer from stress, anxiety and depression. Just like the rest of us.
We have earlier written about Everton winger, Aaron Lennon. In May this year, the 30-year-old footballer was detained by the police, as he suffered from stress related illness.
After Lennon’s incident came to light, more players seek help, says The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).
160 players in need
Last year, 160 current and former footballers contacted the PFA’s mental health hotline for help last year. A number growing year on year.
The PFA employs more than 100 counselors, who are available 24/7, to help football players in need. Conditions includes stress, anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.
“Last year we had 160, of which 62 were current players and 98 were former players. That is growing year on year,” Head of welfare, Michael Bennett, told the Sun. “Key for me is making our members aware of what is in place and the more we raise awareness, the more people will use the service.”
Rio Ferdinand and Britain’s brainiest footballer leads the way
In his book and in the BBC documentary “Being Mum and Dad”´, former Manchester United star and England captain, Rio Ferdinand, opened up on his mental health issues.
Rio lost his wife Rebecca to breast cancer in 2015 that left him and his family devastated by grief.
“After Rebecca died, I just wanted to put everything, the feelings, the hurt, the shock, into a box and leave it there.” Rio said in the BBC Documentary. The show was watched by five million people.
“Gradually over time we’ve found our way, it’s been a hard journey and I’ve had to learn to find ways of asking for help and talking about it,” the footballer-turned-pundit said.
The ex-premier league player, Clarke Carlisle, has also spoken openly about his mental health issues.
The former player, also called Britain’s brainiest footballer, have struggled with dual diagnosis – a condition where mental health problems co-occurrs with drug or alcohol misuse. He tried to take his own life in 2014 and again this September, because of his condition.
Carlisle have founded the Clarke Carlisle Foundation to promote mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression among footballers – an issue neglected by men in general.
