The tragic death of Gary Speed threw into sharp focus the problem of depression in sport.
It’s not something that people often think about. Why would these people get depressed? They have everything. Lots of money, big houses, fame.
At least that’s how it seems. The answer obviously is a lot more complex than that.
The answer of course is that everyone, in any walk of life, whatever their situation can be struck down with the disease of depression.
The refereeing community was left shocked last week by the plight of Babak Rafati. The German official tried to take his own life before the Bundesliga Match between Cologne and Mainz 05.
Mr. Rafati slit his wrists but thankfully survived his ordeal. He was found by his two linesman and German Paramedic’s have praised the pair, saying their prompt actions saved his life.
Happily Mr. Rafati is making a full recovery, with his father saying: “He said he was sorry. He said he loved me, I am very happy he’s ok.”
Babak is a veteran of 84 Bundesliga games and has been refereeing in the Professional game since 1997, and he plans, once he is better, to make a return to the game.
The PFA have produced a booklet in the wake of Mr Speed’s terrible passing aimed at helping players cope with depression and the Director of the Sporting Chance Clinic, an organisation aimed at helping footballers who are suffering from addictions and other types of mental illness has reported that 10 Premier League Footballers have contacted them seeking help.
Football is a tremendous force for good. At Referees Jobs we have seen first hand just how it can bring families closer together, how lifelong friendships can be formed through a mutual love of the game and just what a positive influence football – whether playing or officiating – can be.
The PFA’S message was that “no one in football needs to feel alone.” And that is something that Referee Jobs passionately believes in.
That is why we have decided to try and do our bit to help and we are urging you to do the same.
We are backing the Samaritans Christmas Wishes Programme. A tremendous initiative it encourages people to leave messages throughout the Festive Period which can then be read by those who are less fortunate.
It is sometimes easy to think that football is far more important than it actually is. Football can feel like – as Bill Shankley is reputed to have said (although the actual words are often misquoted) – “a matter of life and death.”
As this weeks tragic and awful events have shown it is anything but.
It’s not something that people often think about. Why would these people get depressed? They have everything. Lots of money, big houses, fame.
At least that’s how it seems. The answer obviously is a lot more complex than that.
The answer of course is that everyone, in any walk of life, whatever their situation can be struck down with the disease of depression.
The refereeing community was left shocked last week by the plight of Babak Rafati. The German official tried to take his own life before the Bundesliga Match between Cologne and Mainz 05.
Mr. Rafati slit his wrists but thankfully survived his ordeal. He was found by his two linesman and German Paramedic’s have praised the pair, saying their prompt actions saved his life.
Happily Mr. Rafati is making a full recovery, with his father saying: “He said he was sorry. He said he loved me, I am very happy he’s ok.”
Babak is a veteran of 84 Bundesliga games and has been refereeing in the Professional game since 1997, and he plans, once he is better, to make a return to the game.
The PFA have produced a booklet in the wake of Mr Speed’s terrible passing aimed at helping players cope with depression and the Director of the Sporting Chance Clinic, an organisation aimed at helping footballers who are suffering from addictions and other types of mental illness has reported that 10 Premier League Footballers have contacted them seeking help.
Football is a tremendous force for good. At Referees Jobs we have seen first hand just how it can bring families closer together, how lifelong friendships can be formed through a mutual love of the game and just what a positive influence football – whether playing or officiating – can be.
The PFA’S message was that “no one in football needs to feel alone.” And that is something that Referee Jobs passionately believes in.
That is why we have decided to try and do our bit to help and we are urging you to do the same.
We are backing the Samaritans Christmas Wishes Programme. A tremendous initiative it encourages people to leave messages throughout the Festive Period which can then be read by those who are less fortunate.
It is sometimes easy to think that football is far more important than it actually is. Football can feel like – as Bill Shankley is reputed to have said (although the actual words are often misquoted) – “a matter of life and death.”
As this weeks tragic and awful events have shown it is anything but.
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