Bolton Wanderers' manager has spoken candidly about how mental health can affect players in the team after online abuse.
Ian Evatt delivered a speech at the Mental Live event at the University of Bolton stadium about mental health in relation to sport on Friday.
The event, organised by Stephen Robinson, gave people a chance to explore activities such as rock climbing and blind driving, helping people to discuss their mental health along the process.
Ian said: “I think it’s important that we use the power of football to do good and I think raising awareness for mental health is becoming a pandemic itself in this country.
“I’m really blessed to be a football manager, I’ve had a great career in football, but I’ve had a journey as well, I’ve had ups and downs and there’s been sometimes where I’ve struggled with my mental health.
“If I can come and speak today and share some of my story, helping someone somewhere then it’s the right thing to do.”
The stadium was buzzing with activity as people listened to talks from people in the fitness and health industry, such as blind racer Mike Newman from Speed Of Sight and women’s self defence instructor, Zee Jogi.
Ian explained that the team often suffered abuse online which is something they want to prevent.
He said: “Football is one of those industries where everybody has an opinion.
“It’s our national sport so everybody comes to watch their team on Saturday and will go home and speak about how the game has gone.
“Sometimes that critique will spill over into personal abuse, lots of players and staff that are part of the game get abused on social media, every week and it can really affect and deteriorate their mental health.
“Footballers are all human beings, they all have feelings the same as everyone else so we must be careful with our critique.”
Phil Mason, CEO of Bolton Wanderers In The Community, highlighted the importance activity can have for mental health.
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He said: “We recognise that in particularly for men it’s hard to talk about and that sometimes, and for everyone it’s not just about counselling and meditating but it takes some kind of activity or event to help people.”
Former Wanderers stars John McGinlay and Fabrice Muamba were also at the event.
The event encompassed 10 wellbeing zones focussing on different elements of mental health including an activity zone and sports zone.
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