Neil Lennon the latest football figure to open up on his mental health

Neil Lennon has opened up about dealing with depression during his debut season with Hibernian.

Today marked the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week and mental health has come to the forefront of football over the past week. Aaron Lennon was recently detained under the Mental Health Act and Everton subsequently revealed that the player was suffering from a stress-related illness. In an article in The Telegraph on Friday, Ryan Giggs wrote in a column that the case of Aaron Lennon

 “Has made mental health of footballers an issue again.”

Giggs revealed that he sought psychiatric help so he could learn how to best cope with the end of his time at Manchester United. Speaking to Sky Sports, Lennon opened up on his own mental health.

 “The job is difficult enough when you are feeling ok but when you suffer with a bout of depression, everything is magnified. You feel 10 times worse about things  “I did have an episode of it this season, for about four or five weeks and the club were great about it, they were really supportive, as were my backroom staff as well.  “I got through it ok and came out the other side When you come out the other side it’s a great feeling."

Giggs also opened up about some of the thoughts that would go through his head when he was a player.

 “I do not know what has affected Aaron, but I always struggled in the periods I was out the team or playing badly. I had a feeling of worthlessness. As a footballer you wonder if your team-mates are looking at you and asking the questions you are asking of yourself. Why can’t he hit a decent pass? Why’s he always injured? What’s wrong with him? “I took defeat personally, and there were times after we lost a big game that - if we were not required at the training ground - I would not come out the house for two days. I know now that it is not helpful or normal – but it is hard to know what is normal when you are in that environment.”

  Supporters and spectators may have a new-found appreciation for the trials and tribulations of professional footballers after this week.