Southend boss praises club’s mental health work
Southend United boss Kevin Maher has stressed the importance of keeping a close eye on the mental health of people involved in the world of professional sport.
The Shrimpers last week released a video on Instagram of players discussing the subject of men crying to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
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“What’s gone on recently has been quite well documented, Ricky Hatton, Matt Beard – Mark (Beard) his brother is very close to me, I know him well, it can’t be underestimated what goes on,” Maher told BBC Essex
“Within football and sport, there’s a lot of pressures from outside, some of it completely unnecessary.
“The club did a brilliant piece with some of our lads, and it shows they’re human beings first and foremost and footballers second. I think that’s important for players and every sports person to realise that.
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“They’ve got a life outside football and when people talk about them, they’ve got feelings as well, so before you start spouting stuff off, think about what the repercussions of that might be.”
In the video, goalkeeper Nick Hayes, defenders Gus Scott-Morriss and Joe Gubbins, midfielder Leon Chambers-Parillon and striker Andy Dallas all recalled occasions in their lives when they have been reduced to tears.
“As tough as they are as footballers, and as resilient as they are, they’ve also got a side to them that they’ve got to get right,” said Maher, who celebrated his 49th birthday on Friday and recently passed 200 games in charge of the club.
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“That’s the sad side of social (media), I’ve had my family drawn into stuff and it’s strange that people feel the need to do that, but my concern is with the players, of course.
“That’s part of the modern world, it’s not always a nice part. It’s something we’ve got to deal with, but we shouldn’t just turn a blind eye.”
Having booked their place in the FA Cup first round by defeating Folkestone Invicta 4-1, Southend return to National League action on Saturday when they travel to Morecambe.
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“There’s a lot of games at the start of the season. They come in bursts, Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Wednesday, so it’s nice to have a little bit of a break and it’s just managing that (process) from playing to recovery, to getting real intense work and good detail into them.”
“I’m really pleased with how they’ve been the last couple of games and the training and the professionalism, they’re really at it.”
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