HARRY Brockbank says he was motivated to become Wanderers’ mental health ambassador after his own struggles during the pandemic.

The 22-year-old graduated right the way through the Whites academy to become a regular in the first team squad over the last two seasons.

But the added pressures and reduced freedoms of life in lockdown left Brockbank seeking help to improve his mental health.

As football returned last year he approached the club’s media team to see what he could do to help others who may have found themselves in a similar situation.

He then took on a role, endorsed by the Community Trust, which helps support the work they do around the town – and provide a touchpoint on social media for supporters who are struggling.

“Playing for Wanderers is probably the dream for the majority of lads in Bolton, so it’s important I give something back,” he said.

“During lockdown I saw a lot of people struggling, so I thought it was important, even if I could the smallest bit to help one person out.

“I was going through a tough time myself, I was struggling, and I didn’t know what to do about it.

“I didn’t really want to speak to my mum and dad, didn’t really want to speak to my friends about it.

“Then, when you finally do get a bit of help and speak to people, it makes you feel 10 times taller. If people can get the message across it’s so important.”

Brockbank was given Wanderers’ Community Player of the Year award for 2021 after making a good start with his new off-the-pitch role.

And he points to world boxing champion Tyson Fury as an example of how even leading sportsmen can have mental health issues that can be tackled with the right help.

“People think that men shouldn’t be allowed to get upset, shouldn’t be allowed to feel this way, and there are probably men out there who feel they should be a bit macho. But it shouldn’t be like that,” he said.

“Everyone goes through it. Tyson Fury is the heavyweight champion on the world, had everything he could ever dream of, but he had a mental state that he couldn’t get out of the rut. You can get out of it and people need to know it isn’t the end, it isn’t how you are always going to feel. There will be better days ahead.”

Brockbank believes attitudes to mental health are changing for the better, with plenty of leading sportsmen taking a leading role.

“I see a lot more on Twitter now, footballers saying you can message them if you are upset,” he said. “Everyone is coming together and it’s nice to see. I think everyone does want the best for each other.”