The Football world is an industry, a game of enjoyment where athletes can make a lot of money. It’s a team fight, a battle between each other to win who’s the best. It may look easy outside – but there are laying issues that not everyone can see.
Football is a large community consisting of coaches, staff, members – and they are not perfect human beings. Sometimes they can make mistakes, but that shouldn’t be a reason to crucify them into hatred. The thing is, there is massive neglect that should be taken into consideration for everyone who’s involved in this community – that is, mental health.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. More specifically, it affects how we think, feel and act. In the past years, mental health has been involving athletes – more specifically, football players. Unfortunately, there haven’t been a lot of discussions regarding mental health. Mental health is a crucial period of life. That is why players, coaches, or staff are beginning to speak up about their mental health problems throughout their journey. Transitioning from the academy to professional, it is not new that athletes may face pressure among their peers.
From the academy level to professional players – some players have decided to give up and quit pursuing their dream of becoming pro due to the pressure of their parents or teams. Many young players have given up their goals because they think they won’t be good enough to become pro players. Even so – professional players also have it tough. They are surrounded not only by fans but cameras from the media that follows every step of their life. Most of the time, pro players are pressured by the fans. From bashing to hating into their social media account, many pro players go through depression and other psychological problems.
Often, players may feel alone, and only they are left with fame and wealth. Many pro players speak up regarding their mental health state while playing football. Gonzalo Higuain, Ryan Giggs, Danny Rose are just some of the football players who spoke about their mental health.
How severe Mental Health is?
If you know Danny Rose, he played for several years in one of England’s biggest clubs. He was a part of Tottenham Hotspur – and at the peak of his career, he became an essential player for the England National team. However, in 2018, before the World Cup, he announced that he suffered from depression that year. He said that his depression was triggered by his knee injury treatment and family tragedy.
Even so, despite his family history and trauma, he said that his salvation and haven was his club. He was then referred by the national side to consult him with the right people who can help him more. Rose was able to overcome his depression with the help of professionals. It concludes that footballers are human beings that can also have mental health concerns. That is why clubs and nationals must help their players by guiding them through hardships.
Since then, the Football Association started to launch a program that can help football athletes dealing with mental health concerns. It is significant progress since, in the past years – mental health is not being taken seriously, and we have a lack of awareness about it. People are not noticing that mental health problems are a huge problem that needs to be taken care of. Many people suffer from mental health silently. But you have to know the truth – having a mental health problem is not something you should be ashamed of.
Early warnings signs that can help you save a life
If you know someone who suffers from mental health problems silently and can’t speak up, follows these behaviors that can help to determine an early warning sign of mental health:
- Eating and Sleeping excessively
- Pushing away people and not attending daily activities
- Feeling drained and loss of energy
- Doesn’t feel anything (Numbness)
- Having unusual chest pain
- Feeling helpless and hopeless
- Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs
- Having mixed emotions like confusion, forgetfulness, helplessness, anger, upset, self-pity, and fear.
- Fighting with family and friends.
- Having severe mood swings
- Unable to move forward from the past
- Hearing voices that are not there
- Self-harming and having thoughts of harming others.
- Unable to do daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school.
Every person struggles differently – but it all boils down to a single thing. Everyone needs help. Regardless if you’re a football athlete or not – everyone can deal with it differently. Speak up, and don’t be afraid. For football athletes who suffer mental health silently – Mental Health Football UK – Physical Activity Health Alliance, is available to cater to your needs. Don’t suffer alone.
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