Mental Health

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton slams ‘toxic’ social media and claims everyone should come off it for sake of their mental health

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has slammed “toxic” social media and urged people to come off it. The seven-times World Champion has never been afraid to give his view on things outside the track.
      Hamilton made his feelings on social media clearCredit: Getty
      And while he continues to search for his first race win of the season after a frustrating tactical error left him high and dry in Mexico, Hamilton had an important message for his fans.
      He urged people to put their mental health above social media and criticised “hurtful” comments that people leave.
      He said: “Social media is getting more and more toxic as the years go on and I think we should all come off it ultimately.
      “Mental health is such a prominent thing right now. So many people are reading the comments and the stuff people say, and it is hurtful. 
      READ MORE ON F1
      “Fortunately, I don’t read the stuff but the media platforms need to do more to protect people, particularly young kids and women, but at the moment they are not doing that so I think this will just continue.”
      His observation comes just days after he had his own social media run-in with former teammate Fernando Alonso.
      The outspoken Spaniard suggested that Hamilton’s titles were of less value than Verstappens’ as the Brit only had to “fight [his] teammate.”
      In response, Hamilton posted a picture on Twitter of himself on the top step of the US Grand Prix podium in 2007 looking down on his then-McLaren teammate Alonso.
      Most read in Motorsport
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      F1 also finds itself at a particularly divisive time as old rows rear their heads and drivers being booed becoming an increasingly common sight.
      Confirmation that Red Bull broke the cost cap has led to fans question the legitimacy of their title victories.
      And the team have even boycotted Sky after roving F1 reporter Ted Kravitz claimed that Hamilton had been “robbed”. More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua reveals he won’t box until next year while he battles his mental demons following Tyson Fury fight talks

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA will not box in December as he battles to rebuild his mental health after back-to-back Oleksandr Usyk losses.The 33-year-old London 2012 Olympic golden boy was dethroned of his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles by the Ukraine mastermind in September 2021.
      Anthony Joshua renewed his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk in AugustCredit: GETTY
      The former unified heavyweight champ suffered a second consecutive defeat to the UkranianCredit: Getty
      Joshua was overcome with a wave of emotion after the Saudi showdownCredit: GETTY
      AJ plans to take some time off to mentally relaxCredit: PA
      And he failed with his August rematch – despite a vastly improved performance – and broke down in the aftermath, throwing a couple of his old belts to the floor and crying in the post-fight press conference.
      A decade of carrying such huge expectations on his giant shoulders came pouring out of the father-of-one, after he lost his crowns and any chance of his career-long goal of an undisputed decider,
      And despite the Watford icon and promoter Eddie Hearn vowing he would fight in December, the powerhouse pin-up has now confirmed – although he is fighting fit – his head is still not fully recovered.
      AJ entered talks with undefeated WBC Gypsy King Tyson Fury about a potential December 3 showdown.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      But he pulled out of talks when his commercial and sponsorship partnerships clashed with playing second fiddle on the Fury show, planned for the Cardiff stadium.
      And he has now confirmed to broadcasters DAZN, that his family has urged him to take an extended break to let his huge heart and mind recover from the punishing losses.
      “You saw after my last fight, I swear it tore me apart,” Joshua bravely admitted.
      “I had so much riding on it, for me, the British fans, the undisputed fight.
      Most read in Boxing
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      “It just really tore me apart so, from a mental capacity, my close ones are telling me to rest, mentally.
      “Physically I am down to ride, I am a warrior, I like this game and I like competing.
      “But, from a mental aspect, I think people have really seen it means a lot.”
      Bitter nemesis Fury has made a second career out of being a mental health campaigner, after his own breakdown coincided with a 2017 back-dated doping ban.
      But Joshua bottled up all of his struggles until his rock-hard facade melted away in the scorching Saudi Arabia desert.
      He now faces another rebuilding process and will most likely return to the ring in the Spring of 2023, against a mid-level opponent, to help get him back to winning ways.
      But watching seven-year-old son JJ learn to handle defeats has also taught the 6ft 6in ace to roll with the punches.
      He said: “Even if I am not fighting, my name is getting called out every day so it’s a mental pressure of being AJ and holding up a reputation, they go hand-in-hand.
      “Trying to do this thing – and do it properly – is tough. Boxers are rough and tough but this boxing is a lot of mental pressure.
      “I won’t know how I will feel until I am back in there. But the best feeling, that will be good for me, is winning.
      “That feeling of losing is not nice. Now I know why my son gets so angry when he loses at anything. I never understood it before.
      “Regardless of the belts, the feeling of winning will be amazing again, internally.”
      Joshua has now missed out on the two elite heavyweight fights of his era – against fellow Brit Fury and American KO king Deontay Wilder – over money and contracts.
      Tyson Fury offered Anthony Joshua a world title lifeline after his loss to UsykCredit: Getty
      But the fight failed to come to fruitionCredit: GETTY
      AJ will now return to the ring next yearCredit: GETTY
      A trilogy fight with Dillian Whyte is on the cards for the Watford WarriorCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
      But he still hopes he can prove himself by eventually getting the 34-year-old Morecambe master in the ring, even though Fury insists that ship has now definitely sailed.
      “I love doing business, good business and good contracts,” he said. “All that social media stuff is just time-consuming.
      “My dance partner, the last geezer I was supposed to fight (Fury), he’s a good dance partner.
      “He handles the social media side. I think we’d do good business behind the scenes.
      “It will happen, we’re in the same era.
      “Just as two competitors, two fighters. He’s definitely someone that’s a fighting man.”
      SunSport expects Joshua’s steady comeback trail will lead to a third fight with Dillian Whyte – who he beat a 2015 barnstormer and lost to in a 2009 amateur slugfest.
      After an April knockout loss to Fury, the 35-year-old Body Snatcher returns to ring on November 26 – on AJ’s DAZN broadcasters – suggesting the pair are back on a collision course while Fury and Usyk plan a March undisputed bout.
      Joshua said: “If you look at the way I have handled my business, I have never had to call anyone out or disrespect anyone to make a fight, or make it bigger.
      “I have always just handled my business in my fashion and, in doing that, I have won every belt twice, apart from the WBC.
      “I still have targets and goals to achieve but, so far, I feel like my strategy has been working.
      “I like fighting good opponents and, as important as it is for me to be a champion, I always wanted to fight the best of my era because there has been this stigma about cherry-picking.
      Read More on The Sun
      “If you want to get to the top in boxing you have to take risks, calculated risks.
      “And it’s not how popular you are, it’s how good of a fighter you are that makes you popular.”
      You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember, www.uk.movember.com
      Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm More

    • 238 Shares189 Views

      in Boxing

      Boxing can be a tough sport – but I just find it hard to walk away, reveals Tyson Fury

      by

      MY boxing life has been made up of two careers.The first took place between 2008 and 2015, a period in which I was unable to recognise the psychological demons dragging me down.
      Walking away from boxing is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do, says Tyson FuryCredit: instagram
      The boxer’s new autobiography Gloves Off, is out on November 10
      Tyson Fury says boxing will have a void of charisma when he finally hangs up his glovesCredit: Reuters
      They pulled on me like a rucksack full of stones, despite the fact I was on my way to becoming the heavyweight champion of the world.
      The second career kicked off in 2018 after a brutal battle with my mental health, a war I’m still locked into today.
      Through sheer will I was able to overcome my issues and return as the planet’s most entertaining pugilist.
      But then I started to think I should leave the stage while still at the peak of my powers.
      READ MORE TYSON FURY
      While I’ve long been admiral of HMS I Don’t Give A Crap, the most entertaining showman since the days of Muhammad Ali and the greatest fighter of my generation, it’s important to know that, as far as I’m concerned, boxing has always been a business with a shelf life.
      Statistically the people that stay in the game for too long have a tendency to get damaged, really damaged, and I don’t want that happening to me.
      There’s also a risk that my career has been shortened by the way in which I’ve lived my life.
      Health and nutrition was not exactly a priority for large chunks of my time as a pro: I ballooned in weight between bouts and then, during the mental health breakdown that started in 2015, I boozed, binged and tried cocaine.
      Most read in The Sun
      There was even an attempt at ending it all a year later when I pointed my Ferrari at a bridge and slammed on the accelerator, though I changed my mind at the last second and pulled ­away — thank God.
      When I eventually asked for help I was diagnosed as bipolar, paranoid and suffering from anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
      I later recovered, but my mental health issues remain a constant work in progress — from time to time I can have suicidal thoughts, though I now understand what’s needed to keep my demons at arm’s length.
      So while getting my face punched in for a living has put millions of pounds in the bank, a fighter needs to know when their time is ­up — and mine is near.
      Walking away from boxing may be the hardest thing I ever do.
      All I know is that I don’t want to overstay my welcome, ruin my legacy, or die from a big right to the side of the head.
      And believe me, an ending like that has felt worryingly real at times.
      I even experienced short-­term memory loss following that bruising encounter with Wilder in 2021, when, in the hours after the win, my head covered in tennis ball-­sized lumps, it was impossible to remember how many times I’d gone down.
      Everything was foggy, and the experience frightened me.
      No way do I want to end up living out my days in a wheelchair, or eating my dinners through a straw.
      I wanted to leave boxing at the peak of my powers, but have been tempted back, says Tyson FuryCredit: EPA
      Tyson Fury fully intended to quit boxing for good after beating Deontay Wilder in 2021Credit: Rex
      After that fight with Wilder, I told my promoter Frank Warren that I planned to retire.
      But then…Bang! he approached me with the opportunity to fight at Wembley Stadium in April 2022.
      Wembley was a showcase venue, an opportunity to bow out in style.
      And after the hardship and pain of the coronavirus pandemic, I felt I owed it to the fans.
      Boxing deserved a hell of a party, and with my triumph over Dillian Whyte, I gave them a showdown for the history books.
      I told the world it would take half a billion to drag me back into the ring.
      At one point, I was so confident that nobody was going to cough up the cash that I threw down a bet with Piers Morgan on live TV.
      He said, ‘How about if you do fight again, you have to give me a million pounds?’ Piers couldn’t believe his luck when I agreed, though I also knew that if there was a £500million fight on the cards, I wasn’t going to feel that sad about giving him a million of it. (Though he’ll get it in pound coins and fivers.)
      The other fight I’ve been interested in is a showdown to stop the nation in its tracks.
      Tyson says his battle with mental health is a never ending fightCredit: PA
      A match with Anthony Joshua would fall into this category, and in September 2022, I even offered to battle him in the UK with a 60-40 split in earnings.
      I wanted it to be a moment in sporting history, a fight for Britain.
      But so far we haven’t been able to make it happen.
      Now I’m due to fight Derek Chisora on December 3 — having already beaten him twice.
      Chisora and I used to be pals but when it came to my Wembley showdown against Dillian Whyte, Chisora tipped the other bloke to knock me out.
      I couldn’t get my head around that. How can you claim to be someone’s friend and then back another fighter to send him to the canvas?
      I really had no idea what was eating him at the time. Perhaps it was jealousy.
      I have a potential meeting with Oleksandr Usyk next year. I don’t rate his chances against me either.
      Sure, Usyk has beaten AJ twice now, but he’s hardly a killer.
      When I do finally retire, there’s bound to be a void in boxing, in the same way athletics got boring once Usain Bolt had disappeared from the scene — there’s no one around with the same charisma.
      With that in mind, staying on the stage is bloody tempting.
      You might be wondering, ‘Well, hang on, what about those risks you were talking about earlier — the ones that made you consider retirement in the first place?’ And sure, a purse is worthless if you die or get seriously injured in the process, but the thing is, I don’t plan on doing either of those things. I plan on winning.

      ADAPTED from Gloves Off by Tyson Fury, published by Century on November 10 in hardback and audiobook.

      MY PAL ROBBIE
      TYSON says he’s not impressed by celebrity but has bonded with stars like Robbie Williams — after he recorded a song on the singer’s Christmas album.
      Fury said: “Robbie’s a top bloke and we had plenty in common.
      Tyson says he has forged a bond with singer Robbie WilliamsCredit: instagram
      “Robbie and me are both people that have hit the top, having worked hard for something all our lives — him: pop stardom; me: the world heavyweight championship — only for the realities of our success to become massively destructive and very different to what we’d expected at the beginning.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Tyson said another “genuine” person was singer Ed Sheeran, who he met after a gig.
      He said: “We are both very similar in character. Ed is grounded.” More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury to release debut single to raise money for mental health charity after revealing his own battle

      by

      TYSON FURY plans to raise funds for a mental health charity by releasing a music single.The Gypsy King will fundraise for Talk Club by releasing his own rendition of Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’.
      Tyson Fury will release his debut single next month to raise funds for mental health charity Talk ClubCredit: PA
      Fury recently recorded his own rendition of Sweet CarolineCredit: PA
      All the funds raised from The Gypsy King’s single will go to Talk ClubCredit: AP
      Fury, 34, has already recorded his version of the iconic anthem, which will be available from November 11 – just before the World Cup
      The WBC heavyweight champion said: “Sweet Caroline is a record I’ve always loved and I’m excited to record and release it.
      “And thanks to the folks over at Warner Music, they’ve given me the opportunity to do that, and what better time to release it than around the World Cup.”
      Fury is no stranger to singing on the microphone, regularly serenading his fans, and wife Paris, after his fights.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      All the profits from Fury’s single will go to Talk Club, a charity focused on getting men to open up about their mental health struggles.
      Fury dealt with his own issues after his toppling of Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 and still fights a daily battle with his demons.
      He said: “I have been very vocal about my mental health struggle, especially since my comeback.
      “It has been widely printed about my highs and lows, ups and downs, so I’ve tried my best to keep talking about it as much as I can and keep trying to smash the stigma.”
      Most read in Boxing
      Talk Club founders Ben Akers and Gavin Thorpe believe Fury’s involvement will inspire other men battling with depression and other forms of mental health problems to speak up.
      They said: “Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK.
      “Tyson Fury is a champion, in and out of the ring to many of those men.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Men see themselves in Tyson, so when he talks – or sings – they listen.”
      Fan favourite Fury will be back in action on December 3, locking horns with Derek Chisora in a trilogy fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Contact the Samaritans
      If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at anytime.
      Or email https://www.samaritans.org/ More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury set to release his debut single to raise money for men’s mental health charity

      by

      TYSON Fury is hoping for a massive hit — by recording a single for charity.The heavyweight champ, 34, will release his version of crowd favourite Sweet Caroline on November 11.
      Tyson Fury hopes for massive hit on release of charity single, this NovemberCredit: PA
      Tyson, who is a keen singer, dueted with Robbie Williams on his 2019 Christmas albumCredit: Getty
      Proceeds will go to mental health charity Talk Club.Tyson said: “Sweet Caroline is a record I’ve always loved and I’m excited to record it.
      “It’s a great opportunity for me to give something back to mental health and hopefully continue to raise awareness for a cause that’s really close to my heart.”
      The dad of six is a keen singer who often serenades the crowds after his fights.
      He also duetted with Robbie Williams on a track on his Christmas album in 2019.
      READ MORE ON BOXING
      But he has also spoken of his mental health struggles.
      Talk Club founders Ben Akers and Gavin Thorpe said: “Men see themselves in Tyson, so when he talks — or sings —they listen.
      Most read in The Sun More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Harry Kane’s inspirational cartoon of tough journey including Arsenal release as he launches mental health charity

      by

      ENGLAND captain and Tottenham striker Harry Kane has released an inspirational cartoon on his tough journey through football and announced the launch of a mental health foundation.The 29-year-old faced rejection as a kid after being released by boyhood club Arsenal.
      I’m very proud to launch the Harry Kane Foundation – it marks the start of a journey for me as my Foundation aims to transform a generation’s thinking about mental health. pic.twitter.com/oZzNcviyp3— Harry Kane (@HKane) October 10, 2022

      Kane launched his mental health foundation with a cartoon of his journey in footballCredit: Instagram / harrykane
      The striker was handed a chance by Tottenham after being released by ArsenalCredit: Instagram / harrykane
      Kane was desperate to make Spurs’ first-teamCredit: Instagram / harrykane
      However, the forward had several unsuccessful loan spellsCredit: Instagram / harrykane
      Kane had a stint with Millwall, where he ‘had to work hard through some really tough times’Credit: Instagram / harrykane
      His dad put his arm around him and told him “We go again, and work even harder”.
      Those words have stuck with Kane through numerous unsuccessful loan spells and even up to this very day, where he is the captain of his country and recognised as one of the best strikers of his generation.
      Spurs striker Kane says with self-belief and support from others, “the more real” his dreams became.
      Kane also announced the launch of his mental health foundation, which will seek to “tackle stigma” and “transform a generation’s thinking about mental health.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      His website reads: “Harry launched the Harry Kane Foundation (HKF) with a long-term goal to help transform a generation’s thinking about mental health.
      “The launch of his own dedicated Foundation marks the start of Harry’s journey to learn more about mental health and work with chosen charities and strategic partners. 
      “HKF will use Harry’s profile and curate partnerships to reach audiences of all ages through tactical awareness campaigns and practical support.
      “The purpose of HKF is to help normalise conversations around mental health, promote positive habits that support mental health and tackle stigma.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Kane added on Twitter: “I’m very proud to launch the Harry Kane Foundation – it marks the start of a journey for me as my Foundation aims to transform a generation’s thinking about mental health.
      “I want to learn more, help normalise conversations around mental health, promote positive habits that support mental wellbeing and tackle the stigma surrounding the subject.
      “I will use my profile to encourage others to look after their mental health, be their best and know that it’s ok to ask for help.
      “I’ll be working with some amazing organisations and causes close to my heart.
      “Some exciting activations are launching today, on World Mental Health Day, with more to follow.”
      Kane says he doubted himself a lotCredit: Instagram / harrykane
      Kane would repeat his dad’s inspirational words of ‘work even harder’Credit: Instagram / harrykane
      Kane broke into Spurs’ first-team and is closing in on the all-time Premier League goals record, currently held by Alan ShearerCredit: Instagram / harrykane
      Kane is also the England captain, guiding the Three Lions to a World Cup semi in 2018, and the Euros final last summerCredit: Instagram / harrykane More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Boxing

      Inside glitzy life of Ryan Garcia after unbeaten boxer’s dramatic body transformation

      by

      RYAN GARCIA is back feeling on top of the world.The unbeaten boxing prospect, 24, took a year away from the sport to focus on his mental health after beating Luke Campbell in January 2021.
      Garcia scored a dramatic win over Campbell to take the WBC interim lightweight crownCredit: Getty
      The Californian-born star has won all 23 of his pro fightsCredit: Instagram @kingry
      The 24-year-old returned to the ring for the first time in over a yearCredit: Instagram @kingry
      He has undergone a radical transformation by adding a host of tattoosCredit: Instagram @kingry
      Now firmly back in the game, he saw off Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9 in San Antonio to maintain his unbeaten record.
      And he followed up with a win over Javier Fortuna in Los Angeles in July.
      Know as Flash or KingRy, the Californian-born lightweight burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced pro aged just 17.
      He’s since battled his way up the rankings, winning all 23 of his fights and taking the vacant WBC interim lightweight crown after the dramatic stoppage of Campbell.
      Hailing from a big family, Garcia’s success is tied to his parents – his father Henry remains on his training team, while mother Lisa is his tireless PA.
      Blessed with movie-star looks and fast hands, the boxer of Mexican descent has let his fists do the talking to build up an estimated net worth of $10million.
      And that cash has certainly gone to good use, with Garcia reportedly splashing out on a car and a mansion for his mum – before he even turned 21.
      His own family is growing too, with Garcia having two young daughters to provide for.
      He has three-year-old Rylie with former girlfriend Catherine Gamez and 18-month-old Bela with social media star Drea Celina.
      ‘EVERYTHING CAME CRASHING DOWN’
      Garcia certainly lives his life in the fast lane and that shows with his car collection.
      Speed is his friend both in and out of the ring judging by the motors he shares with his 8.7m Instagram followers.
      KingRy has some impressive rides at his disposal, including a Lamborghini Urus, Ferrari 488 GTB and Porsche 718 Boxster.
      That Lambo packs a serious punch, generating a whopping 641bhp and costing a cool $225,000.
      He’s also the proud owner of a $118k Audi RS Seven, which features a 4.0-liter Twin-Turbo V8 and reaches 60mph in a hair-raising 3.5 seconds.
      Boxing fans who didn’t keep up with Garcia during his year away were in for a shock when he entered the ring in July.
      Most read in Sport
      Flash has undergone a dramatic body transformation, with his upper torso now dominated by a number of striking tattoos.
      Garcia started to increase his body art in early 2021 and now boasts over ten tatts around his shoulders and chest alone.
      He has two lions on either side of his chest, reportedly to signify strength and point towards his ‘KingRy’ nickname.
      There are also the words ‘Shock the World’ inked on the back of his shoulder, while on his right arm is a cross.
      Garcia was baptized in January 2021 and takes his faith seriously.
      ‘I’M THANKFUL, I REALLY AM’
      He explains: “The cross [tattoo signifies] the strength, the power in my right hand.
      “Don’t underestimate the left one either, as it too has got that power.”
      A dove on his right shoulder is said to signify “the holy spirit that guides me”, while there’s also a laurel wreath around his neck.
      Garcia is one of the most exciting talents in boxing, with Oscar De La Hoya predicting he can become “the biggest star boxing has ever seen.”.
      Now back healthy again and raring to go after his year out of the ring, the unbeaten star can’t wait to fight and take his pro record 22-0.
      But he is thankful that he has overcome the mental health demons which struck just three weeks after his win over Campbell.
      He told InsideHook: “Everything came crashing down on me. I was lost in my head and words can’t really describe how I felt.
      “It was like being in a maze and didn’t know where to go. I’m just happy to be here. I’m thankful, I really am. 
      “I didn’t understand it. I have everything, I’m doing so good. I get people telling me that ‘Ryan, just like the fact that you came out, you saved my life.’
      “And that right there is worth all the pain I went through. If a kid got out of a dark place because of my story, that’s worth more than I could ever do in the ring.”
      Garcia has two lions tattooed on his chest, with the first completed in January 2021Credit: Instagram @kingry
      His stunning collection of supercars features a Lamborgini and Audi RSCredit: Instagram @kingry
      The lightweight star has also been snapped with his FerarriCredit: Instagram @kingry
      Garcia is proud of his Mexican heritage and Canelo Alvarez is a big fanCredit: Instagram @kingry
      He provides regular updates on his Instagram ahead of fight nightCredit: Instagram @kingry
      His luxurious Lamborghini Urus packs a punch with 641bhpCredit: Instagram @kingry More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      France World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard bravely opens up on battle with depression during lockdown

      by

      BAYERN MUNICH and France star Benjamin Pavard has bravely opened up on his battle with depression.The 26-year-old first began to struggle mentally during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Benjamin Pavard has bravely opened up on his struggles with depressionCredit: Getty
      Pavard lifted the World Cup with France in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      At the time Pavard was still in his first season at Bayern, and being stuck on his own away from his home country saw him became “not well”.
      The Bundesliga was first halted in late February due to the pandemic, and did not return until May.
      And the 2018 World Cup winner, who won goal of the tournament for his famous strike against Argentina, has detailed his struggles in an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien.
      Pavard revealed that he knew something had to be done when he headed to training without a smile on his face.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      He said: “It was difficult for everyone, for me too. To be alone, in a country other than mine, I was really not well. In my head, something was wrong.
      “At the beginning, you tell yourself that it’s nothing, that it will pass, but when you see that it persists, that you go to training and that you don’t have a smile on your face, you have to react.”
      Pavard admitted that maintaining contact with family and friends was crucial during the lonely periods of lockdown.
      He added: “I am human like everyone else, and even if I have a super nice house with a weight room, I needed contact with others.
      Most read in Football
      If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
      “I got up, I had no appetite. I tried to keep busy, to cook, to watch series. But Netflix is ​​fine for two minutes… I don’t like the word depressive, but that was the case.”
      Fortunately Pavard’s mental struggles have improved as the world has grown used to living with Covid.
      He concluded: “I came out of all this as a man, it changed me. I was on my own like many football players and I had to surround myself well to raise my head.
      “I managed to bounce back from difficult times.”
      Read More on The Sun
      On the pitch the right-back has continued to be an important player for club and country, despite his mental struggles.
      And he will be hoping to help France to more World Cup glory when the tournament kicks off in Qatar later this year.
      Contact the Samaritans
      If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at anytime.
      Or email https://www.samaritans.org/

      Pavard joined Bayern Munich from Stuttgart in 2019Credit: Getty More