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Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 3:16 pm
by PeterParker


There is a long story about this and how it works, but what do you think? Do clubs help players through internal struggles?

Context: We have a piss poor football here, however, at some point we were somewhat relevant. There was this striker who became the local goalscorer. Anyway, ended his career and after a few years he started talking odd things on the tv, things like he is in Barcelona getting ready to become their next manager, etc. He clearly needed help, but no one stepped up.

Then you have the likes of Robert Enke, or even Andy Morrison who had his shares of struggles, Michael Johnson and so on.

What's your take on this?

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 3:59 pm
by Outcast
PeterParker wrote:


There is a long story about this and how it works, but what do you think? Do clubs help players through internal struggles?

Context: We have a piss poor football here, however, at some point we were somewhat relevant. There was this striker who became the local goalscorer. Anyway, ended his career and after a few years he started talking odd things on the tv, things like he is in Barcelona getting ready to become their next manager, etc. He clearly needed help, but no one stepped up.

Then you have the likes of Robert Enke, or even Andy Morrison who had his shares of struggles, Michael Johnson and so on.

What's your take on this?


There is a certain poster on here needs mental help but no one stepped up. Just saying

On a serious note, I don't think mental health is taken seriously enough, there is an element of stigma for seeking help.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 4:15 pm
by Whassat
Many professional athletes use mental coaches and psychologists, in order to reach their dreams. I am surprised that in such a multimillionaire context that the mental side of things is not discussed more in football; Equally surprised am I that the clubs doesn't employ mental coaches etc to help the players cope with stress etc. Body and mind needs to be worked with. I know that Graham Potter worked alot with his players in lowly, swedish Ostersund with mental aspects - The players played roles in theater like shows in front of an audience etc, in order to strengthen their self belief etc. Many people hate for example talking in front of a crowd, preferring to die instead.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 4:28 pm
by rosbif cuisson 'bleu'
Whassat wrote:Many professional athletes use mental coaches and psychologists, in order to reach their dreams. I am surprised that in such a multimillionaire context that the mental side of things is not discussed more in football; Equally surprised am I that the clubs doesn't employ mental coaches etc to help the players cope with stress etc. Body and mind needs to be worked with. I know that Graham Potter worked alot with his players in lowly, swedish Ostersund with mental aspects - The players played roles in theater like shows in front of an audience etc, in order to strengthen their self belief etc.Many people hate for example talking in front of a crowd, preferring to die instead.

Is that a second language misexpression, or do you really think that MANY prefer TO DIE rather than speak in public? I'm sure there are many who are massively uncomfortable, but.....hyperbole ( preferring to die inside , colloquially speaking, makes more sense to me)

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 4:48 pm
by Mase
Sterling is someone I’d imagine sees or would benefit from seeing a therapist.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 5:15 pm
by Whassat
rosbif cuisson 'bleu' wrote:Is that a second language misexpression, or do you really think that MANY prefer TO DIE rather than speak in public? I'm sure there are many who are massively uncomfortable, but.....hyperbole ( preferring to die inside , colloquially speaking, makes more sense to me)


People would rather die than to speak in public. There have been quite a few articles and studies on this matter;

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... more-death
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spea ... l2bvqlmbnt

To list a few articles that come up when using Google search for example

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 5:26 pm
by brite blu sky
Whassat wrote:
rosbif cuisson 'bleu' wrote:Is that a second language misexpression, or do you really think that MANY prefer TO DIE rather than speak in public? I'm sure there are many who are massively uncomfortable, but.....hyperbole ( preferring to die inside , colloquially speaking, makes more sense to me)


People would rather die than to speak in public. There have been quite a few articles and studies on this matter;

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... more-death
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spea ... l2bvqlmbnt

To list a few articles that come up when using Google search for example


Im glad you backed that up with the links.. i was, like Rosbif begining to wonder where you may have got the many people prefer to die bit.

Ive always been surprised that given Psychology has been about for over a century that we dont have stuff in schools from an early age on how to relate to each other, relationships, the self and the pressures of modern life, curriculum is very old fashioned based on knowledge/ facts and stuff no-one really uses.
Yet as a lot of peoples problems stem from negotiating relationships, you would think by now we would start teaching some basics.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 5:27 pm
by brite blu sky
Mase wrote:Sterling is someone I’d imagine sees or would benefit from seeing a therapist.


You mean like dating one?

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 5:47 pm
by Mase
brite blu sky wrote:
Mase wrote:Sterling is someone I’d imagine sees or would benefit from seeing a therapist.


You mean like dating one?


I believe he’s a lovely family guy that the Daily Mail tells me shops at Poundland and has bought his mum a house

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 5:58 pm
by rosbif cuisson 'bleu'
brite blu sky wrote:
Whassat wrote:
rosbif cuisson 'bleu' wrote:Is that a second language misexpression, or do you really think that MANY prefer TO DIE rather than speak in public? I'm sure there are many who are massively uncomfortable, but.....hyperbole ( preferring to die inside , colloquially speaking, makes more sense to me)


People would rather die than to speak in public. There have been quite a few articles and studies on this matter;

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... more-death
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spea ... l2bvqlmbnt

To list a few articles that come up when using Google search for example


Im glad you backed that up with the links.. i was, like Rosbif begining to wonder where you may have got the many people prefer to die bit.

Ive always been surprised that given Psychology has been about for over a century that we dont have stuff in schools from an early age on how to relate to each other, relationships, the self and the pressures of modern life, curriculum is very old fashioned based on knowledge/ facts and stuff no-one really uses.
Yet as a lot of peoples problems stem from negotiating relationships, you would think by now we would start teaching some basics.

The first link doesn't actually say that most people or even many people would actually choose to die rather than speak in public and the second is behind a paywall for me , but hey hyperbole.....

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 6:50 pm
by CTID Hants
David James suffered badly but appears to have come out the other side having lost all his material possessions.

Seems OK now.

Many more out their.

I think football is slowly catching up and proactively prepare youngsters that they may not make it.

Then you have those who very successful careers that then struggle with retirement.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2022 7:19 am
by Whassat
rosbif cuisson 'bleu' wrote:
brite blu sky wrote:
Whassat wrote:
rosbif cuisson 'bleu' wrote:Is that a second language misexpression, or do you really think that MANY prefer TO DIE rather than speak in public? I'm sure there are many who are massively uncomfortable, but.....hyperbole ( preferring to die inside , colloquially speaking, makes more sense to me)


People would rather die than to speak in public. There have been quite a few articles and studies on this matter;

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... more-death
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spea ... l2bvqlmbnt

To list a few articles that come up when using Google search for example


Im glad you backed that up with the links.. i was, like Rosbif begining to wonder where you may have got the many people prefer to die bit.

Ive always been surprised that given Psychology has been about for over a century that we dont have stuff in schools from an early age on how to relate to each other, relationships, the self and the pressures of modern life, curriculum is very old fashioned based on knowledge/ facts and stuff no-one really uses.
Yet as a lot of peoples problems stem from negotiating relationships, you would think by now we would start teaching some basics.

The first link doesn't actually say that most people or even many people would actually choose to die rather than speak in public and the second is behind a paywall for me , but hey hyperbole.....


If you are really interested in the matter, just make the search for yourself on Google. There is no shortage of information. I just took the top two links in my search.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 6:26 pm
by Dameerto
I seem to remember a similar discussion a looong time ago - I think it was when a German player took his own life. Players (many people, not just players) become institutionalised by their 'job' and when it ends they face problems, it's a form of grief and loss. The more it gets discussed the better people understand it, and hopefully something can be done about it.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 6:38 pm
by Mase
I wonder what Ashton thinks.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2022 8:11 am
by PeterParker
Dameerto wrote:I seem to remember a similar discussion a looong time ago - I think it was when a German player took his own life. Players (many people, not just players) become institutionalised by their 'job' and when it ends they face problems, it's a form of grief and loss. The more it gets discussed the better people understand it, and hopefully something can be done about it.


Yep, Robert Enke.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2022 11:29 am
by Dameerto
PeterParker wrote:
Dameerto wrote:I seem to remember a similar discussion a looong time ago - I think it was when a German player took his own life. Players (many people, not just players) become institutionalised by their 'job' and when it ends they face problems, it's a form of grief and loss. The more it gets discussed the better people understand it, and hopefully something can be done about it.


Yep, Robert Enke.

https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/08/1 ... bert-enke/

This article is very fitting for this thread, and sheds some light on his thought processes - if it's too long (and it IS long), then just skip to the last five paragraphs.

Re: Mental health struggles in the football world

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:45 pm
by nottsblue
Given the value of players and the salaries they are on I would imagine any forward thinking club must employ a number of sports psychologists to protect their assets. A happy employee is a productive employee is true of football, perhaps even more so.

How these guys deal with pressure and mental health though is very much a personal experience. What one guy will do another guy might find doesn't.

I guess the manager has a big influence on the players. He has to pick them up when they are down or not in the team or playing poorly and make them feel valued and wanted. Not an easy task in football today with squad sizes the way they are. He also has to manage expectations and keep players, especially the younger ones grounded