Ahead of the recent healthy mind and body match day road show at Ewood Park, delivered in partnership with NHS Blackburn with Darwen and Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn Rovers club captain, Ryan Nelson, gave his thoughts on the subject of male mental health and wellbeing issues to the Rovers Community Trust.
Hi Ryan. 1 in 4 people will experience emotional health symptoms in their lifetime, such as depression. To put it into context; there’s usually four of you guys out on the pitch playing in defence. How does that make you feel?
RN: “I’m surprised the figures are that high and I think this is something that should be looked at more seriously. In football a lot of times, when players come to the end of their careers, they go from ‘up here’, to ‘down there’. Their job is taken away from them and some really do struggle to cope.”
Do players speak to the team doctor or physios about any emotional issues they might have?
RN: “Yes, we speak to the medical staff about our problems. With injuries, I would say that they often have to deal with the mental side more than the injury itself. It helps to talk about our problems, as we’re not letting them brew up inside us then.”
Just over a year ago German international goalkeeper, Robert Enke, tragically committed suicide. Suicide rates amongst men are often very high. What can be done in the community to stop this happening?
RN: “I would try and get councillors into secondary schools and community centres. Create a private area or room in these venues so that anyone can go in and speak about their problems. I would also do an advertising campaign to get men to start talking about their problems, as it really does help a lot.”
Blackburn Rovers Community Trust delivers two projects, ‘Time to Change’ and ‘My Life’, designed to get people opening up about their problems. How important do you think community projects like these are in helping people cope with mental health and wellbeing issues?
RN: “It’s very important. It’s great that there is a platform from which people can deal with these issues. To be able to use the Blackburn Rovers name is also very important as you can get players on board to promote and support these kinds of projects.”
