Death of Gary Speed prompts 10 footballers to seek bereavement counselling
Ten footballers have sought help from the Sporting Chance Clinic to help them come to terms with the death of former Welsh manager Gary Speed.
The Sporting Chance Clinic was established in 2000 in a bid to provide a support network to sporting figures with problems including gambling and drinking.
The organisations chief executive Peter Kay has said that since the Gary Speed tragedy, an unusually high number of players had turned to the organisation for counselling to help them through their grief.
Chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, recently urged any players who were struggling to come to terms with the death to seek help – advice that obviously had an impact.
Speaking about the increase, Kay said: “I’m hesitant to even link that tragedy with anything good. I think it’s almost inappropriate that anything good can come out of such an awful occurrence. But over 10 players have contacted me since that news broke. That means 10 people are seeking help. That is an unusual amount. If that can be deemed something worthwhile coming out from such a tragedy then so be it. But I’m loathe to think of anything positive from that tragedy.”
If you are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one then talking to a qualified professional in confidence may help you to understand and acknowledge the feelings you are having in response to the loss so that you are eventually able to move forward.
For information about bereavement counselling and how it may be able to help you, please visit our fact-sheet for further information.
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