Three days before Christmas, former Burnley player Clarke Carlisle was admitted to hospital after being hit by a lorry on the A64 in north Yorkshire.
In an interview with The Sun, he has revealed that this was a suicide attempt.
His life had been in a spiral since he was released by Burnley in 2011. He has said previously that his "self-worth and value and football were inextricably linked".
On December 20th he was charged with drink driving, at the time he felt this was the final straw. He later came to learn that he was not in a healthy state of mind.
I walked out of that police station having made the decision that I had to die.
I sat in that cell and thought, ‘There is no way that I can let my children have a criminal father.'
After surviving the attempt, he checked into the psychiatric unit of a hospital in Harrowgate on Christmas Day.
This was the lowest point. Then I had an epiphany. It’s because I’m incredibly unwell.
I ventured out of my room not as Clarke the ex-footballer, but as Clarke, a mental health patient.
That was the first step in my road to recovery.
Carlisle's wife Gemma tweeted regarding the story last night after receiving messages accusing her husband of being selfish.
Suicide & depression is not selfish. It's a serious illness where your world & reality are warped.
— MrsC (@gemmacarlisle) February 4, 2015
We send our love & thoughts to the lorry driver & family. It could have been anyone and Clarke is desperately sorry that it was him
— MrsC (@gemmacarlisle) February 4, 2015
Please if anyone is suffering...
know that it WILL get better. I can promise you that. Reach out to someone, anyone. You're not alone
— MrsC (@gemmacarlisle) February 4, 2015
