Sport rallies round stricken Everton star Lennon
“We are dealing with a societal problem here”
THE world of football rallied round Everton winger Aaron Lennon yesterday after it was revealed that more than 60 current players in the English game have sought help for mental health issues.
Lennon’s ordeal when he was detained on Sunday under the Mental Health Act has sparked messages of support from around the globe and he is said to be ‘making good progress’ from his stress-related illness.
Yesterday, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) disclosed that last year 160 members contacted their welfare service, of which 62 were current players and 98 ex-pros.
‘We are dealing with a societal problem, not a football problem,’ said the PFA’s head of welfare Michael Bennett, who added that the numbers seeking help had risen each year since the service was set up in 2012. ‘If it impacts society, it impacts football. For us, it’s a person who happens to play football.’
Figures are not available for the number of players seeking help north of the border, but PFA Scotland launched its ‘Support: Mental Health in Football’ programme last year after more than 600 players replied to two surveys conducted among the country’s 42 senior clubs.
Sixty-four-per-cent of the players revealed that either themselves or a team-mate had experienced a mental health issue.
PFA Scotland introduced a 24-hour phoneline, with a spokesperson last night saying the numbers using it were ‘substantial’ and that the service has been ‘well used’.
Sources close to Lennon are confident he will make a full recovery following Sunday’s distressing events when police were called to a location in Salford, Greater Manchester, with concerns over the player.
The tracksuited 30-year-old was at the side of a busy thoroughfare close to the M602 motorway and officers believed he was in a precarious situation. Lennon was detained and taken to hospital for assessment.
Everton expressed their gratitude for the messages of support for the player. A club spokesman said: ‘Thank you for all the kind messages for Aaron. We are supporting him through this and his family has appealed for privacy.’
Everton staff were shocked to learn of his condition as he had trained and received physiotherapy at their training ground in recent weeks.
Bennett pledged to work with both Everton and Lennon, adding: ‘The stigma is lessening, with more and more people speaking out like Clarke Carlisle, Rio Ferdinand and Prince Harry. A high-profile former player came to me last week and said: “If they can do it, so can I” — the taboo gets removed. The support is in place for the club and the player. There is a lot of love for him. I’d say to him: “Take your time and get well”.’
Former Everton and England striker Andy Johnson pledged to give 10p to mental health charity Mind for every retweet of his supportive post. Last night, it had been retweeted more than 70,000 times.
Former PFA chairman Carlisle, who had a season at Leeds with Lennon and has suffered from mental health issues himself, wrote on Twitter: ‘Love and blessings to my old team-mate Aaron Lennon. Nail this now and there’s plenty more left in the tank my friend xxx.’
Ex-Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, who has spoken of his battle with depression, tweeted: ‘Thoughts and love with Aaron Lennon and his family right now. I know that place, and I know he’ll be fine with good support.’
Boxer Frank Bruno, another who has suffered with mental health issues, wrote: ‘Thoughts are with Aaron Lennon. Stay strong and as positive as possible, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You will get through this boss.’
Gary Lineker wrote: ‘Wish @AaronLennon12 all the very best and hope he gets well soon.’
Everton signed Lennon, capped 21 times by England, from Spurs for £4million in 2015. He has made 13 appearances for the Merseyside club this season, the last of which came against Middlesbrough on February 11.
A 2015 survey by international players union Fifpro found that more than a third of players reported symptoms of depression and mental health issues.
They said 38 per cent of 607 players interviewed reported having problems at some stage, especially those who had suffered serious injuries.
Martin Ling, the former Swindon manager who has suffered from severe depression, believes footballers are prone to problems. ‘You’re in a cut-throat industry,’ he said. ‘We often talk about mental toughness and strength in football. I didn’t used to equate that to mental illness, but now I’ve been through what I have, I can see how it is.
‘I thought you shouldn’t need people to help you be mentally strong. Now I’m a believer. If your brain breaks, it’s dangerous.
‘With football, you’re on show all the time and always being critiqued. That’s pressure. Aaron is in a dark place, but he can get through this.’