PFA issues mental health advice | CNN

PFA issues mental health advice

2 minute read
Updated 1:07 PM EST, Wed November 30, 2011
In the wake of Gary Speed's death last weekend, the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) have issued ex-players with a guide on how to deal with mental health and stress issues. The same guide was sent to current players in July, before the 2011/12 season began.
The Footballers' Guidebook —
In the wake of Gary Speed's death last weekend, the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) have issued ex-players with a guide on how to deal with mental health and stress issues. The same guide was sent to current players in July, before the 2011/12 season began.
The guide is written in the style of a comic book, depicting stressful situations a player may encounter during their career.
The Footballers' Guidebook —
The guide is written in the style of a comic book, depicting stressful situations a player may encounter during their career.
The guide tells the story of fictional players going through troubled periods in their careers, such as professionals who find themselves of contract and in financial difficulty.
The Footballers' Guidebook —
The guide tells the story of fictional players going through troubled periods in their careers, such as professionals who find themselves of contract and in financial difficulty.
It also deals with handling the pressure of expectation and dealing with playing in front on large crowds.
The Footballers' Guidebook —
It also deals with handling the pressure of expectation and dealing with playing in front on large crowds.
Another issue highlighted is how players arriving from foreign countries may struggle to settle and adapt to English football.
The Footballers' Guidebook —
Another issue highlighted is how players arriving from foreign countries may struggle to settle and adapt to English football.
Pfa players guide

Story highlights

The PFA have sent 50,000 members advice on coping with mental illness

The decision comes in the wake of Wales' manager Gary Speed's recent death

It is unclear whether Speed was experiencing depression or any mental illness

The guide was issued to current professional players in July

CNN  — 

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), a body which represents soccer players in England and Wales, has sent ex-professionals a guide on how to handle mental health issues following the death of Wales manager Gary Speed.

Speed, who made over 500 appearances in the English Premier League during a 22-year playing career, was found dead at his home on Sunday, sending British football into mourning.

Although it is not known whether Speed was struggling with depression or any mental health issues, the PFA, which is linked to a similar body in Scotland, has taken the step of making “The Footballers’ Guidebook” available to 50,000 former players.

The guide, which includes comic strip style drawings and case studies from former players, was sent to current players in July.

“Whether you’re a king, a prince or a pauper, or a top sports star or the man in the street – everybody is a human being and can have issues that they need help with,” PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told CNN.

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Related video Agent's shock at Gary Speed's death

The issue of depression in football was highlighted by the death of German national team goalkeeper Robert Enke, who took his own life in 2009 after a long struggle with the illness.

“The PFA are going to do even more work to try and make sure that people know they can turn to somebody in such times,” explained Taylor. “We’ve got to do all we can.”

“The death of Gary is so devastating , we’ve got to do all we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Speed represented Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers in England’s top flight, before dropping into the second tier to play for, and later manage, Sheffield United.

The former midfielder is the most-capped outfield player in Welsh history, having played for his country on 85 occasions. As a manager, Speed guided Wales to 45th in the world rankings, their highest position.

A minutes applause will be held before all of this weekend’s English Premier League matches in honor of Speed.