Gary Speed charity calls for public figures to speak openly about mental health
The charity was speaking ahead of a mental health event in Liverpool attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales
A charity set up in memory of former Wales football manager Gary Speed is calling on high profile sports stars and public figures to speak more openly about mental health and suicide.
Tony Quaglia, who worked with Speed in the Wales national team, founded 11Speed in 2021 following the former footballer's death in 2011.
Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, he said more needed to be done to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
“It’s still a taboo subject, which it shouldn’t be”, he said. “It should be open, like any other illness”.
He said people should not wait until they reach crisis point before asking for help.
“Why get to crisis point?”. He followed “If you get to crisis point, it’s because you haven’t spoken about it”.
Tony said high-profile sportspeople could play an important role in changing attitudes by sharing their own experiences.
“Top sports stars could come forward in the media, TV and radio and make it trendy to talk”.
He also warned that mental health problems could be difficult to spot, recalling that he had spoken to Speed two weeks before his death and had not suspected anything was wrong.
He explained: “I never, ever suspected Gary was depressed in any way”.
Tony said more funding was needed for mental health research and greater awareness of where people could turn for help.
“We’ve got to make it known to a friend, to an organisation, or even phone your GP and tell them how you feel,” he said.
He said the message needed to be “droned into society” so people knew where to seek help before reaching crisis point.
Anyone experiencing mental health or suicide issues can contact The Samaritans on 116 123 for advice and support.