Robert Enke’s death highlights the tragic cost of stigma

Time to Change, England’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, is deeply saddened to hear of the suicide on Tuesday of German goalkeeper Robert Enke, following a struggle with depression.

What makes this an even bigger tragedy is the suggestion that Enke was too afraid to speak openly about his depression, for fear that it would damage his career as a footballer and his perceived ability as a father.

The stigma surrounding mental illness makes it difficult for footballers and many other sports professionals to speak out when they have a problem - despite it being a common experience.  One in four people will have a mental health problem at some stage, and this includes football players and fans alike. 

Time to Change wants to work with sports organisations across England to strategically address stigma and discrimination.  Our aim is to work across all communities to create a more open climate, in which it is easier for people to speak out and seek the help they need.

Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change says: “We have found that nine out of 10 people with a mental health problem face stigma and discrimination, and as a result feel that they have to keep it hidden away.  Too often, as in Robert Enke’s awful case, this can have tragic consequences.  In order to prevent similar tragedies, we’re calling on all sports organisations in England to raise their game to tackle this taboo by encouraging greater openness about mental health.

“We wish Robert Enke’s brave family well – they have clearly stood by him throughout his illness, and we’re immensely sorry for their loss.”

Alastair Campbell, a supporter of Time to Change, says: “We can only hope this tragedy will lead to greater understanding of the damage done by stigmatising mental health problems. If there was less of a taboo surrounding illnesses like depression, and we could talk about it without feeling ashamed, perhaps lives would be saved.”

Last month, Time to Change launched Levelling the Playing Field, a report which applauded English sports stars who have spoken openly about mental health issues, including Tony Adams, Dame Kelly Holmes, Frank Bruno and Marcus Trescothick.  The report aimed to encourage others to speak out and help tackle this last great taboo.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1.    Time to Change is England’s most ambitious programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and improve the nation’s wellbeing.  Mind and Rethink are leading the programme, funded with £16m from the Big Lottery Fund and £4m from Comic Relief, and evaluated by the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London.

2.    The Big Lottery Fund’s support for Time to Change comes from its £165m Well-being programme.  The Big Lottery Fund has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.  It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.  Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888  / Out of hours: 07867 500 572 Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 /
Textphone: 08456 021 659

3.    Comic Relief is committed to supporting people living with mental health problems. The projects Comic Relief funds ensure people with mental health problems get their voices heard in the decisions that affect their lives and to get the help they need to recover. Comic Relief also helps people to promote their rights and reduce the stigma and discrimination they face so that they feel more included in society.  The £4 million grant to Time to Change is part of Comic Relief's long standing commitment to this issue. For more information go to www.comicrelief.com