When it’s best not to tackle ‘trauma’

TOTTENHAM player Son Heungmin received a red card after a ‘reckless’ tackle which saw Andre Gomes suffer a horrific ankle injury during the 1-1 draw with Everton last weekend.

Son was in tears and it has been reported that he was offered counselling. A good thing, you think? I disagree.

There is no suggestion that Son has a mental illness. He was involved in an upsetting event, yes. But this is part of life — and injury is always a possibility when the stakes are high in the sporting arena.

I’m wary of this constant rush to counselling because it can ‘medicalise’ emotions that are entirely natural.

It is normal to feel upset, worried, or guilty after an incident like that. And most of us have the skills and support networks to deal with it.

Unpleasant situations can sometimes trigger something more serious, but it’s relatively rare. Most of us can process our feelings without the need for professional help.

And there is no clear evidence that counselling makes any real difference. In fact, it can do more harm than good.

When the Army introduced ‘ debriefing’ sessions after military action or traumatic incidents, rates of Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome and other mental health problems actually increased.

Mental health worsened because talking about what had happened over and over interfered with the brain’s ability to process events in its own time. The practice has been stopped.

It can be good to talk . . . but not always.