Even rich sportspeople can be caught by the mental health curse

The news that Aaron Lennon has been detained under the mental health act is a demonstration that even with all the trimmings and wealth generated through football that the extreme end of mental health can affect anyone.

Whilst Joey Barton calls foul on being found out about gambling it would appear that other players who are living the dream, that many of us had, can be genuinely effected by lack of first team opportunity or somehow not able to achieve the heights that they strive for. I am not saying that's the case with Aaron but with squads getting bigger and players being given the chance to develop later, obsession that foreign players are best, whilst huge wages are handed out to very young people this will continue to be a challenge.

Should the authorities do more and in particular the PFA? Well yes but what should they do? Does it become a self fulfilling prophecy in that the more it's raises the issue the more footballers identify that they may have mental health challenges? Short term mental health is, I am told by professionals, very difficult to diagnose and has no consistent symptoms. 

For me the roll of agents with professional sportsmen and women have a critical part to play. This changes their range of skills even broader from negotiator, financial managers and PR gurus to a softer less tangible and measurable support service more than a "man-up" philosophy that appears to be prevalent in professional sport.  

So how can it be prevented? Well simply it can't be, it can only be dealt with when it rears its ugly head manifesting itself in so many ways.

My heart goes out to Aaron who looks to be a hard working football who has generally presented himself well and let's hope that his club, the PFA and his agent can support him and we will see Aaron in the Premier League next season. However more importantly further work is done to build on the excellent already in place to supprot these young men and women.