Responding to reports that QPR midfielder Samba Diakite has been granted leave of absence while he deals with depression, Director of Time to Change (the anti-stigma programme run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness) Sue Baker says:

“If Samba Diakite is experiencing depression as the reports say, then it is hugely encouraging to see a Premier League player with mental health problems being supported by his club – it shows how much the world of football has changed over recent years in its response to mental health. 

The PFA’s Graham Taylor's comments that there is a support system for players are also very welcome, and will help to encourage other players to come forward now or in the future if they are struggling with mental health issues.
 
We'd like this kind of openness, and supportive response, to become uniform across all sports, at all levels.  Players dealing with mental health issues should not have to hide it and should be treated with no less support and understanding than if they were off with a physical injury.”

If the reports are true, Diakite is the latest in a growing number of footballers to publicly deal with mental health problems.  Earlier this year, former Norwich City player Darren Eadie spoke about his experiences of depression and is planning to set up a mental health clinic for players. 

German goalkeeper Robert Enke took his own life in 2009, showing how tragic the consequences of mental health problems can be.

Time to Change, run by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, is England’s biggest campaign to end the stigma and discrimination that can stop people with mental health problems from speaking out about it and seeking the help they need.  The programme has worked with the Premier League and the FA to help encourage greater openness, support and understanding about mental health problems in the football world. 

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Notes to Editors

Time to Change
Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems.  The programme is run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and funded by the Department of Health and Comic Relief. 

For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk