Menu

Former PNE defender Clarke Carlisle speaks out on World Suicide Prevention Day

Posted on - 10th September, 2021 - 6:00am | Author - | Posted in - Health, Preston News, Preston North End, Sport
Clarke Carlisle

Former Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle is making an emotional appeal for people to ‘keep talking’ in a bid to stop men from taking their own lives.

Advertisement

The 41-year-old is supporting the latest phase of Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership’s Let’s Keep Talking campaign which is being launched today – World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September 2021).

Advertisements
Preston Weekender advert

Suicide rates across the region are the third highest in England and men are three times more likely to take their life by suicide than women.

Read more: Fulwood Academy Principal steps down after a year 

The former Blackpool, Burnley and Preston North End defender has spoken openly about his own battle with depression and previous suicide attempts.

Advertisements

He said: “It’s no secret that I’ve struggled with my mental health for many years, so much so there have been times when I have been intent on taking my own life.

“Too many people still don’t understand depression is an illness and people can’t just ‘pull themselves together’. We need to end the stigma, we need people, especially young men, to open up about their mental health and talk about feelings of suicide.

“I feel blessed that I’m in a much better place now and I want people who are facing similar struggles to what I’ve experienced to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sixty-seven per cent of people who die by suicide are not known to mental health services – and it is the biggest killer of men under 49.

Read more: Unemployed over 50’s across Preston invited to four-week programme to help with mental health and job prospects 

Advertisements
barton manor gym

The past 18 months has been a very difficult time for a lot of people. It is more important than ever for people to reach out if they are struggling with their mental health.

Neil Smith, the Mental Health Multi-Agency Strategic Lead for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Clarke for getting behind our campaign. We know his personal experiences will resonate with so many other people, particularly young men.

“We know suicide isn’t the easiest subject to talk about, but if you’re worried about someone it’s OK to ask, ‘are you thinking about suicide?’ Listening is more powerful than people think and having these conversations could save a life.”

See what’s happening near you by entering your postcode below or visit InYourArea



Read moreSee the latest Preston news and headlines

Share
Advertisements
caritas fostering advert
Preston in pictures Preston Bus 207 PO56 JDX (Scania N94UB / East Lancs Esteem)24.03.24 - Penwortham [Church of St Mary] 240323JPGDSC_7658 - Bus stationDSC_7676 - Miller ArcadeDSC_7681 - former Post Office, cenotaph and Town HallDSC_7682 - Central Methodist church, Lune StreetDSC_7668 - Fish (aka Box) MarketDSC_7672 - Miller Arcade View more Advertisement Subscribe to the newsletter

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's email newsletter. It wings its way into inboxes every Sunday and Wednesday rounding up our top stories and more.

Advertisement News by location

Find news by location, select an area of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

The Preston Guide

Discover local businesses and services near you.

    Advertisements
Advertisement Categories

Find news by category, select an category of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

Blog Preston email updates

Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox

We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time from our emails