Is it time to think about your team mates off the pitch?
It’s not a secret nor should it be. 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year and 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2018/oct/10/its-ok-to-not-be-ok-what-top-athletes-have-said-about-mental-health-in-sport-video
Mental health can affect anyone, however more footballers are experiencing problems whether it has stemmed from not making the cut in the academy team, to those that have sustained a long-term injury or even professional’s not adapting to retirement. However, these aren’t the only experiences to affect mental health. Football can be a huge mental and emotional demand on players and if more players and individuals are open and understanding towards this ongoing issue then more people can be helped day to day.
According to the Professional Footballers’ Association footballers seeking help has risen over the past two years with records showing that in 2016 just 160 cases were known of, compared to 403 cases in 2017 and already 250 players have asked for help in 2018.
Danny Rose has recently revealed that he suffers from depression caused from an injury and other traumatic experiences in his life and is thought to be the first England player to openly admit his suffers and has taken medication to help him. In previous years, Clarke Carlisle and Aaron Lennon have attempted to take their own lives and are now seeking professional help, but where was the help when they were playing?
From the start of the 18/19 football season Mind become the official charity partner of the EFL. They have teamed up to support, promote and enhance the way footballers, coaches and fans approach mental health. The EFL will work within 72 clubs and community trusts to promote Minds service nationwide by focusing on support of all those within the club, from players to staff. Raise awareness to the fans, raise funds to help with life changing support and improve the approach to mental health in football and wider societies. I for one think this is an incredible step forward for raising awareness and stopping the stigma related to mental health.
“In choosing to partner with Mind, the EFL is showing a real commitment to an issue that affects players, staff and fans alike” - Paul Farmer, Chief Executive for Mind
“We know that improving mental health is a huge challenge in society, especially for men, but through this partnership we will be proud to help raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma and hopefully have a positive impact on the lives of millions of individuals who currently suffer in silence” - EFL Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey.
Changing sports culture, should we be focusing equally on an athlete’s competitive side to their mental health? If more and more athletes are admitting they suffer from mental health problems due to the pressures to perform and win in such intense competitions, then why are coaches and managers still pushing their athletes to succeed no matter what. Failing to take into consideration the strains that this may have on their wellbeing, is failing to look after the athlete at any levels.
If it is so common and more people on and off the pitch are openly admitting they have experiences with mental health problems, then why is there still a stigma about mental health?
If you are experiencing or need some advice, then have a look on the Mind website.
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References:
Bauman, James N. 2016. The stigma of mental health in athletes: are mental health seen as contradictory in elite sport?









