One minutes reflection
Posted: January 14th, 2020, 12:06 pm
All 3rd Round FA Cup ties kicked off one minute late. This was to give us all an opportunity to reflect collectively on issues of mental health. And let's not beat about the bush it is important, especially for the majority of people who read this board. The majority of you will be young men. If God forbid you die young, the most likely cause is that you will take your own life. We know that down the years a number of County players have suffered with depression and the way Newport County have dealt with that has been exemplary.
Twice in my life I have been in hospital. Once the Gwent to have my appendix out, once St Cadoc's where as a very young man I was treated for depression. I say this not to garner sympathy but to point out that I feel no more shame or embarrassment for being treated for depression than I do for a physical illness. And thanks for asking I made a full recovery from both.
For many young men, it's just a case of hormone imbalance. However bleak life is, it gets better. There is no shame in that which you are going through. Please remember that those people who seek to weaponize mental illness, who wish to stigmatise are foolish individuals to be ignored. There is help available but most importantly talk to someone. And remember anyone making fun of mental illness is doing exactly the same thing as someone making fun of cancer, or any other illness.
Twice in my life I have been in hospital. Once the Gwent to have my appendix out, once St Cadoc's where as a very young man I was treated for depression. I say this not to garner sympathy but to point out that I feel no more shame or embarrassment for being treated for depression than I do for a physical illness. And thanks for asking I made a full recovery from both.
For many young men, it's just a case of hormone imbalance. However bleak life is, it gets better. There is no shame in that which you are going through. Please remember that those people who seek to weaponize mental illness, who wish to stigmatise are foolish individuals to be ignored. There is help available but most importantly talk to someone. And remember anyone making fun of mental illness is doing exactly the same thing as someone making fun of cancer, or any other illness.