Mental health guidebook to be issued to footballers

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To increase awareness of mental health amongst Britain’s top footballers, players in the four main football divisions will be issued with The Footballers’ Guidebook at the start of next season.

“Talking about mental-health problems has traditionally been one of sport’s great taboos,” says Burnley defender and PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle. “When the boxer Frank Bruno was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, the press ran the headline ‘Bonkers Bruno locked up’ and, given this attitude, it is unsurprisingly very rare for sportsmen and sportswomen to ‘come out’ about mental ill health voluntarily.

“Many players may not actually recognise what it is or know how to seek help. I think this guidebook is groundbreaking for players and it takes the first steps towards talking about mental health in professional football.”

For more information on The Footballers Guidebook please visit: http://tiny.cc/bpp66