[AS PUBLISHED IN MALAY MAIL]
You're not alone
By Jordan Barnes
SPORT can be a lonely place and it’s time to end the stigma, say sports fans and fellow professionals.
Aaron Lennon:
► Received rallying support on social media after being treated for stress-related illness.
► Detained by police under the Mental Health Act in Salford on Sunday.
UPDATE
Reports confirm the footballer is not suffering from a long-standing mental health issue.
News shocked the football world:
► Leeds-born winger hadn’t started for Everton since goalless draw with Middlesbrough in February.
Also sparked debate:
► After this callous headline from The Daily Mail, who highlighted the player’s wage in their Twitter announcement.
Their slant was textbook discrimination when it comes to athletes dealing with depression and other mental health issues.
There’s an assumption that:
Living a life of riches and fame makes an individual impervious to pressure, struggle and ultimately breaking down.
As former England cricketer Marcus Trescothick put it when Jonathan Trott withdrew from an Ashes tour in Australia in 2013:
“It grinds you down and just gets to you non-stop.”
There’s no hiding from it, it takes into account nothing at all — what house you live in, what car you drive, what job you do, how much you get paid.
Trescothick:
But, for our sporting heroes, there should always be that feeling of hope.
Here are other sporting greats who have suffered from mental illness.
Paul Gascoigne
Footballer
► Adored Englishman was best of his generation, affectionately known as ‘Gazza’.
► Since retiring, struggled with paranoia and depression while his battle with alcoholism is ongoing.
Wrestler turned actor
► Johnson revealed he had three bouts of serious depression during his career in and out of the ring.
He said in 2015:
Have faith that on the other side of your pain is something good.
Gary Speed
Footballer
► Former Leeds, Newcastle and Wales midfielder spent playing career at top level of English football, tragically hanged himself at home in Cheshire in November 2011.
Ian Thorpe:
Swimmer
► Australia’s most decorated Olympian with five gold medals, admitted to rehabilitation facility for depression in 2014 after being found disoriented in Sydney streets.
► Works with kids and families on TV show Bullied in attempt to crack down on bullying in Australia.
Mardy Fish
Tennis player
► Top 10 ranked player in 2011, Fish had anxiety disorders from a young age.
► Left “crippled” after anxiety attack at 2012 US Open, was unable to function ahead of match against Roger Federer.
► American reported to be finding happiness playing golf after retirement in 2015.
● This first appeared in Malay Mail Afternoon E-Paper yesterday.
You're not alone
By Jordan Barnes
SPORT can be a lonely place and it’s time to end the stigma, say sports fans and fellow professionals.
Aaron Lennon:
► Received rallying support on social media after being treated for stress-related illness.
► Detained by police under the Mental Health Act in Salford on Sunday.
UPDATE
Reports confirm the footballer is not suffering from a long-standing mental health issue.
News shocked the football world:
► Leeds-born winger hadn’t started for Everton since goalless draw with Middlesbrough in February.
Also sparked debate:
► After this callous headline from The Daily Mail, who highlighted the player’s wage in their Twitter announcement.
Their slant was textbook discrimination when it comes to athletes dealing with depression and other mental health issues.
There’s an assumption that:
Living a life of riches and fame makes an individual impervious to pressure, struggle and ultimately breaking down.
As former England cricketer Marcus Trescothick put it when Jonathan Trott withdrew from an Ashes tour in Australia in 2013:
“It grinds you down and just gets to you non-stop.”
There’s no hiding from it, it takes into account nothing at all — what house you live in, what car you drive, what job you do, how much you get paid.
Trescothick:
But, for our sporting heroes, there should always be that feeling of hope.
Here are other sporting greats who have suffered from mental illness.
Paul Gascoigne
Footballer
► Adored Englishman was best of his generation, affectionately known as ‘Gazza’.
► Since retiring, struggled with paranoia and depression while his battle with alcoholism is ongoing.
Wrestler turned actor
► Johnson revealed he had three bouts of serious depression during his career in and out of the ring.
He said in 2015:
Have faith that on the other side of your pain is something good.
Gary Speed
Footballer
► Former Leeds, Newcastle and Wales midfielder spent playing career at top level of English football, tragically hanged himself at home in Cheshire in November 2011.
Ian Thorpe:
Swimmer
► Australia’s most decorated Olympian with five gold medals, admitted to rehabilitation facility for depression in 2014 after being found disoriented in Sydney streets.
► Works with kids and families on TV show Bullied in attempt to crack down on bullying in Australia.
Mardy Fish
Tennis player
► Top 10 ranked player in 2011, Fish had anxiety disorders from a young age.
► Left “crippled” after anxiety attack at 2012 US Open, was unable to function ahead of match against Roger Federer.
► American reported to be finding happiness playing golf after retirement in 2015.
● This first appeared in Malay Mail Afternoon E-Paper yesterday.
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