The topic of mental health in sport is one that has only come into public consciousness in the last few years. We can often forget that elite athletes are people at the end of the day, and they go through the same struggles that we all do.
Mental health continues to be a major concern for men. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK, and numerous campaigns have been started to try and get men to open up about their mental state.
The BBC are currently involved in such a campaign, and drafted in some big personalities from the world of football to promote it. Thierry Henry, Peter Crouch, Danny Rose and Gareth Southgate were accompanied by Prince William to play a game against members of the public that have gone through some mental health struggles of their own.
What follows is an inspiring video. Take a look:
This is certainly a message we can all get behind. Well done to all involved for taking part, and for opening up.
Hearing footballers describe their own struggles can only help to remove the needless stigma that still surrounds mental health, something that will only improve as men open up. Hopefully campaigns such as this one will encourage us all to do so.
