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Ex-Footballer's Mental Health: A Triumph Over Suicide
10 Aug
Summary
- Carlisle survived five suicide attempts, now chairs mental health charity Mind.
- He battled depression, finding recovery through therapy and support.
- His experience highlights the ongoing need for mental health services.
Clarke Carlisle, once a celebrated footballer, has bravely recounted his battle with mental health, including five suicide attempts, and his subsequent recovery. He is now set to lead the mental health charity Mind as its chair, aiming to improve mental health support systems.
Carlisle's journey has been marked by deep depression, exacerbated by the pressures of professional football and the challenges of retirement. He experienced patronization in the corporate world and struggled with gambling, leading to significant personal crises, including a suicide attempt in December 2014.
After his 2014 suicide attempt, Carlisle was diagnosed with recurrent complex depression disorder and borderline personality disorder. He has since rebuilt his life with the support of his wife and family, undergoing cognitive analytic therapy and adopting a rigorous approach to maintaining his well-being.
In his new capacity at Mind, Carlisle is advocating for open-access mental health services, structured into crisis, recovery, and wellness phases. He emphasizes the importance of young people's input in shaping mental health support tailored to their experiences in the digital age.
