Former Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle star Craig Bellamy has opened up about his mental health struggles in a powerful interview with Gary Neville.
The Welshman made 293 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 81 goals for a slew of clubs.
One of the most controversial footballers to play in the top flight, Bellamy was also capped 70 times by Wales.
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But while he always appeared a strong character, Bellamy has reflected on his battles with his own mental health.
He admitted to suffering from regular mood swings and a tendency to overthink situations.
In order to keep on top of his mental health, the 44-year-old takes an ice bath every morning and sees a psychologist on a weekly basis.
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“I didn’t know when it was coming [my bad moods], I couldn’t read the signals," the Burnley assistant manager said on The Overlap.
"Now, I can see my mood changing and having a support network is really important. I’m still not far off it – it could be as simple as a change of weather [to ruin my mood].
“As a footballer, the emotional roller-coaster of being up and down, that’s never great to be living that, so I try and stay away from that and I’m able to see it. I make sure to keep on top of my fitness, I’ve got to eat well, I have an ice bath every morning – I manage it by doing preventative things. Talking helps, so I make sure I see a phycologist once a week and if I don’t to it, then I suffer.”
Bellamy has gone on record to discuss his financial troubles and how a number investments made on his behalf did not work out.
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In April, the Daily Mail said he owed over £1 million in tax to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Custom and Bellamy described being bankrupt as "like being on Death Row".
Bellamy also told Neville that depression has been rife in his family, with his uncle and mum suffering.
He added: "My uncle and my mum suffered with depression really badly. My uncle has really bad problems, to the point where he won’t even leave the house now. My mum has struggled for a number of years, so it can be passed down.
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“I always felt that even from a young age, how I dealt with certain situations, and how I could be really happy and then suddenly it would change – it scared me. I would look at the negative of everything and over-analyse it to a level where I would go crazy.”
Here's a list of the leading mental health helplines and services that are just a call away in the UK:
- Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will talk to you about anything that's bothering you. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0300 123 3011 from 7pm to 11pm every day.
- The Mix take calls from under 25s on 0808 808 4994 from Sunday to Friday, 2pm to 11pm. You can request support by email using the form on The Mix website or using their crisis text messenger service.
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- Papyrus HOPELINEUK is there for under 35s struggling or those who are concerned about a young person who might be struggling. You can call them on 0800 068 4141 on weekdays from 9am to 10pm, on weekends from 2pm to 10pm, and on bank holidays from 2pm to 10pm. You can also email [email protected] or text 07786 209 697.
- The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) caters specifically to males on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm to midnight every day. Alternatively, you can use their webchat service.
- The Nightline website allows students to see if their university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
- The Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L). is available for those who live in Wales and can be contacted on 0800 132 737, which is open 24/7. You can also text 'help' followed by a question to 81066.
Craig Bellamy was speaking on The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet.
Topics: Craig Bellamy, Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle United
Josh Lawless