Mental health charity applauds Dean Windass for brave comments on his depression

16 January 2012

The charity Rethink Mental Illness has praised footballer Dean Windass for being open and honest about his struggle with depression.

The former Middlesbrough striker, whose career spanned 19 seasons at clubs in Hull, Bradford and Aberdeen, talked of recent attempts to take his own life, and how he is now seeking help, during a powerful interview with The People.

Rethink Mental Illness Chief Executive, Paul Jenkins, said: “It’s a powerful thing when someone in the public eye speaks out about having a mental illness. It helps break down prejudice and highlights the fact that mental health problems can affect anyone no matter how seemingly ‘perfect’ their life might appear.

“Depression can be a life altering condition. We see many cases of high achieving sports men and women revealing a mental illness, and it’s important to recognise the career-related pressure they are under. But it is possible to overcome mental health problems with the right treatment.

“There is still a lot of stigma around mental health, which often means that people stay silent and try to fight the illness on their own.

“When sportsmen like Dean Windass speak out it makes a big difference to the millions of other people facing mental illness. It shows them they are not alone and that mental illness can affect anyone.

“We are pleased to hear that Dean is getting help and wish him the very best of luck on his road to recovery.”

For more information about mental illness visit www.rethink.org or for advice call 0300 5000 927.

ENDS

For more information call Lucy Ing, senior media relations officer at Rethink Mental Illness, on 0161 226 4488 or email lucy.ing@rethink.org 


Notes to editors

1. Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for millions of people affected by mental illness.
2. For 40 years we have brought people together to support each other. We run services and support groups that change people’s lives and challenge attitudes about mental illness.
3. We directly support almost 60,000 people every year across England to get through crises, to live independently and to realise they are not alone.
4. We give information and advice to 500,000 more and we change policy for millions.