Clarke Carlisle in emotional mental health plea to football fans after battling demons

Clarke Carlisle, the former Premier League defender, has called on football fans across the UK to support one another as the new season begins. The 46-year-old, who played over 400 professional matches for clubs including QPR, Leeds United, Watford, and Burnley, has spoken publicly about his battle with mental health issues, including a suicide attempt in December 2014 following a collision with a lorry. Now serving as chair of Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity, Carlisle is using his platform to challenge stigma and promote open conversations about mental well-being within sports and wider society. Carlisle’s call for unity comes ahead of a recent charity initiative aimed at fostering connection through football. Last weekend, Mind partnered with five non-league clubs for “The Better Together Cup,” a two-day tournament held in Northumberland. Organised by QTS Data Centers and Blyth Spartans, the event celebrated grassroots football while raising awareness about mental health. QTS, which is constructing one of Europe’s largest data centers near Cambois, contributed £20,000 to support Mind’s efforts to expand mental health services in the area. In a heartfelt message, Carlisle emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue around mental health, particularly within the football community. He argued that clubs provide an ideal setting for bringing people together and offering a space for meaningful engagement. “Supporters come and watch football for their release,” he said. “Any challenge or difficulty, this is an opportunity for people to get away from that and lose themselves, for 90 minutes at least.” Carlisle highlighted how football can serve as a bridge for individuals to discuss their mental health in a supportive environment. He also addressed common misconceptions surrounding mental health, stressing that it affects everyone, regardless of age, gender, or profession. “These are issues that affect the brain and the body, the emotional and the psychological, everybody is susceptible,” he noted. “Although just because we are susceptible doesn’t mean that it’s inevitable.” Carlisle stressed the need to reshape societal narratives, particularly regarding traditional views of masculinity, which often discourage men from seeking help. His comments were echoed by Dan Burn, the Newcastle and England midfielder, who has been vocal about his own struggles with depression and anxiety. Burn, who played youth football at Blyth Spartans, began therapy early in his career and credits it with preventing a potential downward spiral. Carlisle praised Burn for his openness, saying it helps normalize discussions about mental health among the public. “It’s really positive to see people who are in the public eye... discussing openly their mental health issues because it does normalise that conversation,” Carlisle said. Carlisle also acknowledged the surprise some fans expressed upon learning about his past struggles. “People have said to me: ‘I’ve watched you play in the Premier League. I didn’t think it could’ve been an issue for you.’” He encouraged individuals to seek support when needed, emphasizing that they don’t have to share everything with everyone but should reach out to someone at the right time. “If you want it to be your business, excellent. But make it your business with the right support,” he advised. The Better Together Cup is part of QTS’s ongoing Better Together campaign, launched in 2025 to strengthen ties with local communities around its Cambois campus and Northumberland. Rita Patel Miller, Social Strategy Director at QTS, commented on the success of the event, noting the enthusiasm shown by clubs, fans, and families at Croft Park. The initiative reflects a growing commitment to addressing mental health through collaborative efforts involving both private sector companies and local organizations.