LENNON OPENS UP ON MENTAL HEALTH

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Winger discusses mental health struggles

2022-05-10T09:58:41.640Z

LENNON OPENS UP ON MENTAL HEALTH

Winger discusses mental health struggles

2022-05-10T09:58:41.640Z

Ahead of Saturday's match with Tottenham we caught up with the former Clarets and Spurs winger

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Aaron Lennon has urged people who are struggling with their mental health to take advantage of the help that is available.

The Burnley winger has struggled with his own mental health in the past and is sharing his story to encourage others not to suffer in silence.

"I was in a depressed state for a long period of time but it was that last real period when it literally took a big fall really quickly and by then I was in a really, really, dark, dark place," said the 35-year-old.

"I didn't want to speak to anyone, I didn't want to get any help. I also didn't realise there was so much help around.

"It is just so important for people knowing that there is a lot of help out there, and it's all right not to feel OK, it's all right to not feel great every day."

LENNON OPENS UP ON MENTAL HEALTH - Image 1

Lennon is determined to increase mental health awareness and has joined together with Clarets captain Ben Mee in becoming ambassadors for Burnley in the Community's Schools' Mental Wellbeing Project, which supports mental wellbeing amongst young people.

The programme works with 10 secondary schools across Burnley and Pendle and, since it began in 2018, has delivered one-to-one sessions and group sessions for more than 3,000 students struggling with their mental health.

"Everyone's different, there's so many different reasons why people don't want to speak out," he said. "A lot of people are lonely, a lot of people not knowing or willing or feeling that they can speak about it or knowing who to speak to.

"But, when they do start talking about it, they actually realise there is so much help out there, and probably the person next to you might be suffering but not speaking out. So, just that conversation between two people may open many doors."

This story featured in Aaron's Premier League International Content Session in March.