Sometimes things happen in football and in life that stun you, that you just can’t take in.

It’s ten years ago today that Gary Speed passed away.

Please, if you are struggling right now, speak to someone and/or get help.

Gary Speed's widow Louise opens up 10 years after his tragic death https://mol.im/a/10246363 via http://dailym.ai/android

Tough but worth reading, along with the bits from his two sons.

Watched the TV at lunch time about this with the interviewer who was on TV wuth Gary the day he went home and took his life
Reminded me of a few friends and family who have been hail fellow well met in the hours before they take their lives which is why it is so hard to prevent.

Cannot believe it is ten years. As someone then going through a Mental breakdown and who was myself on suicide watch around this period; I have to say, while we have so far to go, it is incredible the advance in attitudes and help available for mental distress. If it proves anything, you never know what tomorrow will bring, even if you think you do.

The internet has made being vulnerable easier in some ways; there's often someone out there going through the same thing.
Finding it can be tricky, but just like this is a home for clarets, there's a home out there for everyone.

I spend time on a guitar based forum, a music based forum and a game based forum, and without exception I've seen forum members being actively concerned about certain members when they don't show up when they would otherwise be expected to.

Just generally talking about shared interests helps massively.

That 10 years has flown by.

I saw a piece on TV and thought if posting this helped one person then it should be posted.

Thank God the world is finally wakening up to the fact that mental illness is just that, an illness.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 11:35 pm

I saw a piece on TV and thought if posting this helped one person then it should be posted.

Thank God the world is finally wakening up to the fact that mental illness is just that, an illness.

Somebody who I knew took his own life very recently. He wasn’t old at all (under 30). Incredibly one of my friends called him selfish. I just can not get on board with this thought process. In Gary Speeds wife’s case, I can understand her feeling angry towards him, I would if my loved ones felt the same however to do something so drastic as that you have to be in a pretty desperate place whereby the only solution you can see is to end your life. I wish his wife nothing but peace and happiness

I've been through similar mental health issues and struggled with life in general since leaving school but on a good path now but I find it incredible how many so called friends and family can turn there back on you when going through your issues because they think your selfish or just 'playing up'.
Some people just can't understand it isn't selfish to do what Gary Speed did, his mental health must of been so bad he really couldn't see an alternative. The selfish ones are the ones who know but choose to ignore or not help somebody going through such issues.
There's nothing more powerful than the mind and mental health issues are a terrible illness.
If anybody is struggling then get help and speak to people who want to help!