Sport can lead way to tackling depression

Last week the BBC aired Andrew Flintoff’s much heralded program about depression. As someone who, in 22 years of life, has experienced the highs and lows that life throws at you, LS Sport’s Stephen Hoffman was interested to hear how it affected sporting heroes such as Andrew…

I must admit there were people on the show who I had never heard of, or had heard frequently negative press from. However, in their honesty Ricky Hatton, Barry McGuigan, Graeme Dott and Steve Harmison won me round. It still wasn’t enough to convince me that Piers Morgan is not an utter pillock!

I’m telling you all of this, because when I was young I was bullied both psychically and mentally. Some of them for the most trivial reasons, others designed to hurt. They all I have to tell you left me with scars, which I shudder at when I think about them today.

Nevertheless, I am glad they have made me stronger and put me in a position where I feel comfortable with what I have in life, and realise that those with strong opinions will always have others targeting them. They are the cowards not me!

Problems, after all, cannot be dealt with by sweeping them under the carpet

If there’s one thing I would like readers to go away with it is this. Bullies are cowards, who deep down are as insecure as the next person. So the next time they attack you, just remember that, they are the losers not you.

And if all else fails, humour is always a good antidote to their attacks. A particular joke I heard is that “Bullies are taking someone else’s oxygen away from others who deserve it more”.

In the program a startling statistic is revealed that one in 10 those involved in professional sport suffer from depression. Let’s hope in the wake of Flintoff’s brave program that more will be prepared to speak out, so that the problem is properly dealt with. Problems, after all, cannot be dealt with by sweeping them under the carpet.

 depression can talked about openly and honestly…

You’re probably wondering how this relates to the voters of Roundhay, Leeds and I’ll attempt to explain why now. Roundhay has some of the best schools in the UK and a beautiful green park and lake that have been home to many fisherman, movie stars and military heroes in the past and by and large their work is commemorated.

I want to see this taken to the next level by famous sportsman, military heroes and schoolchildren themselves, and even me if they will have me explain my experiences.

This could be done at assemblies, seminars and even in sport classes themselves at both primary and secondary schools in the area. By doing this depression can talked about openly and honestly and help those suffering from it to contribute to the healing process for others not as lucky as them.

For those who missed the program a link to it can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b019gbpk/Freddie_Flintoff_Hidden_Side_of_Sport/

It is available until Wednesday 18 January, so you might like to read the Independent’s review on the matter here: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/01/12/the-hidden-side-of-sport-and-beyond/

If you want to send messages of good luck to Andrew Flintoff his twitter account is @flintoff11

 

Photo: Blnguyen