FORMER Lancashire wicketkeeper Luke Sutton has become the first high profile sports star to publicly admit to seeking treatment for depression and anxiety since the death of Gary Speed.
The 35-year-old who enjoyed a three-club career with Somerset, Lancashire and Derbyshire, has announced his retirement from first class cricket.
He said yesterday: “I have been aware for some time that I have problems with certain aspects of my mental health.
“I have always pushed myself to the limit but I reached a point that it was having an adverse affect on my relationships with my family and colleagues, and my health in general. Although as a professional sportsman it is extremely embarrassing to admit to a weakness, I’m proud to have found the strength of character to seek treatment, enabling me now to feel extremely positive about my future. I’ve had a brilliant time over my 14 years in the game, and a number of other important reasons have led me to decide to retire.
“In addition to concerns about my own health, my two-year-old daughter has recently been diagnosed with diabetes and the growing success and, therefore, pressure of my business has forced me to take a long look at my future.”
It is not known whether ex-Everton captain Speed was suffering from depression, but in the aftermath of his death 10 footballers sought help from Tony Adams’s Sporting Chance clinic for mental health related problems.
