Lenny insists Leigh has got nothing to be ashamed of CELTIC
HIBERNIAN manager Neil Lennon insists Leigh Griffiths has nothing to be ‘ashamed’ of as the Celtic striker takes a break from football to deal with personal issues, including some relating to his mental health.
Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers revealed on Wednesday that the 28-year-old was receiving help to combat his problems, which are also thought to be linked to gambling.
Lennon knows the Scotland internationalist having signed the player for Celtic in January 2014 and can also appreciate exactly what Griffiths is going through, having spoken publicly about his own battles with depression, which first affected him as a 29-year-old at Leicester City.
Now 47, the Northern Irishman, whose side host the Premiership leaders tomorrow, admits the mental health support landscape has changed immeasurably for the better, and envisages Griffiths being ready to make a comeback after the winter break.
Lennon said: “It’s a difficult time for him but with the right support, which he will get, and self-discipline we’ll see him back on the field, maybe not by the end of this month, but certainly after the winter break.
“From my experience it’s maybe been four to six weeks and it will be the same for him.
“Leigh has nothing to be ashamed of, he needs to treat it like a hamstring injury – he might be out for four to six weeks and he’ll do his bit with a little bit of self discipline and sacrifice and get through the hard bit and come through the other side.
“It can be over something or nothing and all of a sudden it takes control of you rather than you being in control and that’s the scary bit, That’s the difficult bit to deal with.
“But there are far more platforms now for people to come forward and get help and that’s the first step, to admit there is something wrong and to talk about it and that’s the first step to getting better.”
In a sport that is perceived as being macho, the stereotypes associated with mental illness have vastly changed since Lennon’s illustrious playing days.
A candid Lennon said: “I did not admit to it until I was more or less retired and I had a couple of bouts while I played.
“That was difficult. I spoke to a couple of my mates but the club doctor was the one I leaned on more than anyone else.
“It’s probably difficult for other people to understand what you’re going through because we all have our own issues in life, problems and whatever it is you want to call it.
“You can’t see it, people put up a front and there are no blemishes on your face or anything; it does affect you physically sometimes and it can affect your appetite and in my case you lose some weight, which is great.
“It’s a difficult thing to go through but when you come out the other side of it it’s such a great feeling and a life experience, I suppose.”