Responding to today’s news reports on Everton FC player Aaron Lennon, Sue Baker OBE, Director of Time to Change said:

“Our thoughts and best wishes are with Aaron and his family. It’s been really encouraging to see the outpouring of support from sportspeople, fans and the general public in response to today’s media coverage. It shows how far attitudes towards mental health problems have come. 

“Everton FC have worked with Time to Change for many years and have led the way in the football world in implementing a number of programmes and initiatives to try and tackle attitudes and behaviours towards mental health.

“We look forward to the day when someone’s mental health is no longer considered news – just as we wouldn’t expect someone in the public eye to receive wide media attention for their physical health and urge everyone to treat Aaron and his family with dignity and respect at this time.”