Echosport special: 'Depression must be taken far more seriously in football'

Everton winger Aaron Lennon was recently detained under the Mental Health Act and a number of other sport stars have also admitted to struggling from depression.

And Blues boss Brown feels more needs to be done to help those affected.

“We can all bandage up a leg and spot an injury but mental health is completely different and I don’t think we pay enough attention to it if I’m honest,” said Brown.

“I’ve been involved in football for coming up to 40 years and in that time I’ve had players and members of staff suffering breakdowns and had many tearful exchanges.

“Do I understand depression from a clinical point of view? Probably not if I’m honest but I understand and recognise it from within the industry.

“It’s an incredibly important topic and one you have to provide empathy towards but not sympathy because I don’t think that’s what they want.”

Keen to understand more - Blues boss Phil Brown

Brown, who managed in the Premier League with Hull City, has endured many ups and downs during his own lengthy spell in football.

And he swears by the importance of seeing a psychologist.

“I’ve also had a psychologist at the clubs I’ve been at and would like to have one at Southend too,” said Brown.

“I’ve seen one myself throughout my career and I’ve also started to use the one we have in the academy here as well.

“Last season, I got two or three of the first team squad to go and see him and a psychologist is somebody I’ll always want as part of my backroom team.”

Football management, in particular, also throws up a number of difficult situations.

And Brown is full of praise for the job the League Managers Association does in helping to support their members.

“Losing your job is the toughest part of the game and that is tough to deal with but the LMA are brilliant when that happens,” said Brown.

“They help you deal with the financial side of things and then got managers and mentors who are in and out of the game to regularly contact you.

Troubled - Aaron Lennon

“What they do really does make me proud to be in the LMA and I’m sure it’s a big help for a lot of people.”

However, Brown is not sure if the same support mechanisms are in place for players.

“In the academy a lot is done but once you’re through that stage it seems as though footballers are left to fend for themselves,” said Brown.

“A good friend of mine, Mick Brown, was assistant manager at Manchester United in the 1980s and he told me some unbelievable stories.

“There were two players there, who were very well known, who struggled to play in front of the big crowds.

“On 14 different occasions either one of the pair was in the starting line-up when it was picked on the Friday but then had to drop out the following day.

“That would now be recognised as a mental health issue and that always made me realise that it’s anyone at the club who might be struggling.

“It takes a lot of management skills to deal with that kind of situation but I don’t see it as manager and player, it’s two human beings opening up about things.

“You learn from the experiences and it educates you as well for what might happen next.”

Former Blues midfielder Martin Ling has previously spoken out about his own battle with depression.

But the Professional Footballers Association insist they are doing all they can to help their members, with a former Canvey Island defender playing a leading role.

PFA role - Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett helped the Gulls shine in non-league football during his own playing career before setting up his own organisation to help footballers deal with mental health issues.

Bennett is now head of welfare at the PFA and wants those affected to make the most of what is on offer.

“Last year we had 160 members undertake counselling, of which 62 were current players and 98 were former players and that is growing year-on-year,” said Bennett.

“But we want to make members aware of the services in place, with the hope that the more we can raise awareness, the more people will use the service.

“I think it is in a sports person’s mindset that to talk about being affected by mental health can be perceived as a weakness.

“We are trying to change that mindset because if you were to twist an ankle or pull a hamstring – because you can physically see it – you can treat it, but because mental illness is something you can’t see, it is not viewed the same way.

“So for people like Rio Ferdinand and even Prince Harry to talk about their own experience helps break down that taboo.”

STAN COLLYMORE: WHY THINGS MUST CHANGE

SOUTHEND United legend Stan Collymore does not want anyone suffering with depression to be shamed into silence.

Collymore - who bagged 18 goals in 32 games while with the Shrimpers in the early 1990s - has been treated for his own troubles since first speaking out in 1999.

And the 46-year-old does not want anyone else affected by mental health issues to feel they must keep quiet.

“People who are suffering should not be told to man up and keep a stiff upper lip,” said Collymore.

Outspoken - Stan Collymore

“They shouldn’t be told that depression doesn’t exist either because it means they keep quiet and instead of speaking out and seeking help from day one it develops further and could get to day 20 before they go and see the doctor or speak to a friend.

“We should all be encouraging people to speak out and that’s what mental health week is all about.”

Collymore was one of the very first sportsmen to speak out about his mental issues but a number of others have now spoken of their troubles.

And the striker continues to hit back at critics who suggest professional footballers should not be suffering due to their wealth.

“If you’re a professional footballer you can get cancer, ME or AIDS so you can get depression as well because it’s another illness, only one you can’t see,” said Collymore.

“German goalkeeper Robert Enke threw himself off a railway bridge and killed himself in 2009 and we don’t want people to get to that stage.”

Collymore’s own troubles began during his spell at Aston Villa.

And he was originally told he would start to feel better if he scored a few goals.

“We’ve all made our peace since it happened but the club psychologist told me I would be OK if I got a couple of goals against Fulham in our next game which I thought was just ridiculous,” said Collymore.

“I had also spoken with the physio and manager before I ended up going to the Roehampton Priory to get treated.

“I know some people are still sceptical about it all, especially when celebrities speak out.

“But if someone sees that and then speaks out because of it then it’s a good thing.

“No-one should ever be discouraged or told to get a grip. That would be the same as trying to run off a broken leg.”

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT BE STRUGGLING

ACCORDING to the most recent medical statistics, one in every six people are currently struggling with some kind of mental illness.

Chances are someone we all know will be fighting to feel at their best and it is equally as likely to be someone nobody would ever suspect, just like myself.

On the outside I may appear to be a confident, jovial journalist yet behind closed doors and between my ears nothing could be further from the truth at times.

I may have worked with words for many years but trying to accurately describe depression remains an incredibly tough task.

It is an all-consuming, all conquering feeling of sadness which quite often results in periods of self-loathing, loneliness and numbness.

During those times, the most simple of tasks such as changing your clothes, brushing your teeth or shaving becomes as challenging as randomly opting to run a marathon and any kind of social interaction can leave you incredibly intimidated.

Common problem - one in every six people is currently suffering from a mental health issue

Of course, nobody wants to live their life that way and many don’t want to admit to it either. Sadly that has cost me a few friendships as being a man and being British, I opt to hide my tears and troubles and I’m still not sure whether writing this is a good idea.

But, with mental health issues now becoming far more widespread, it is time for a change. Last year, close to 7,000 people – an average attendance at Southend United – opted to commit suicide.

But nobody should ever have to think that is the only way to end their sadness and their families should not have to be touched by tragedy either.

Sadly, many people do not understand the manner or the magnitude of the problems and some of the social media reaction towards Aaron Lennon’s recent struggles have emphasised exactly that point.

Telling someone suffering with depression to ‘get a grip’ or to ‘man up’ , no matter what their lifestyle, is the same as instructing an athlete to run off a broken leg and can often actually lead to shaming someone into silence.

That is obviously far from ideal in such sensitive circumstances as those in trouble should be urged to talk. And speaking out about mental health must be seen as a sign of strength, not one of weakness.

CHRIS PHILLIPS

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE DEPRESSION

MANY people suffering from depression will not know where to turn to seek help.

But Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at mental heath charity Mind, gave the Echo the following guidelines.

He said: “Just as we all have physical health, we all have mental health. And like our physical health, the state of our mental health can change over time.

“We’d urge people worried about their mental health to talk to their GP, especially if you have been experiencing symptoms of a mental health problem for more than two weeks, or your feelings are preventing you from getting on with your day-to-day life.

Seeking advice - help is available for those suffering with depression

"Not everyone has a great relationship with their GP and it can be a daunting thing to do. You might find it easier to open up to a friend, family member or colleague in the first instance.

"If you need to start receiving treatment for your mental health a GP is your best bet as they can outline the different options available such as medication, talking therapies or a mixture of both.

"Every person is different so there is no one treatment which works for everyone.

“Mind have developed a free guide available at www.mind.org.uk/findthewords.

“Mind also has a confidential information and support line, Mind Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am - 6pm, Monday – Friday).”