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Windass speaks out on depression - Date: 16 Jan 2012

Former Middlesbrough striker, Dean Windass has opened up about his struggle with depression and admits that he tried to take his own life as recently as this month.

There has been a lot of talk amongst the best football betting pundits about the troubles of depression in sport since the tragic death of Wales' manager Gary Speed at the end of last year, with players being urged to come forward and talk about their problems.

Windass, who spent two seasons with Boro between 2001 and 2003, says that it is often hard for footballers to come forward and talk about their illness, deeming it a sign of weakness.

He admits that he has tried to take his own life on several occassions, but for various reasons has not succeeded.

“I have cried every day for two years,” Windass told The People. “I took an overdose and, when that didn't work, I tried to hang myself.”

But Windass believes that by coming forward and talking about his depression now, he can get the support and help he needs to combat it.

Following the break-up of his 18-year marriage, the death of his father, and very little income since retiring from football, Windass hit a real low point.

He said: “People outside football think we have it all, but I was in a hole that I honestly didn't know how to get out of.

“Just over a week ago, I hit rock bottom and decided to end it all.

“I need to sort myself out which is why I'm speaking out now. It's part of me getting better - part of the healing process.

“People have this image of me as this big strong man who can take anything life throws at him. But I'm not ashamed to say I wanted to end it after a string of setbacks.

“I knew I'd been a fool but I couldn't shake off the depression at feeling what a failure I'd become.”

Windass' first attempt to take his own life involved taking an overdose of tablets, but he was stopped just in time by a former girlfriend.

He says that the following day he tried once again, this time using a bed sheet to try and hang himself.

“I tied it to a handrail at the top of the stairs but it was too long,” he added.”I was quite drunk and couldn't get it to work, so I got a belt instead.

“At that point a friend came round so I couldn't go through with it.”

Windass was speaking to The People newspaper with the aim of facing up to his problems, knowing that the first step is accepting them.

He said: “We're not the brightest but you play football all your life. There are hundreds of footballers in the same boat. There is nothing to get up for in the morning.

“The Professional Footballers' Association or the governing body need to help us. I have hurt the people closest to me, so I've come out today and admitted I need help.”

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