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New study reveals one in four professional footballers suffer from depression

FIFPro have released their latest findings after surveying over 180 active professional players.

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS that one in four professional footballers suffers from some form of depression or anxiety.

The study, conducted by Dr Vincent Gouttebarge who is the chief medical officer at World Footballers’ Association FIFPro, saw 180 currently active players participate.

26% said they suffered from depression or anxiety, 19% revealed they had adverse alcohol behaviour while 7% admitted to being smokers.

121 former footballers were also surveyed and among them the figure for depression rises to 39%.

“Contrary to popular belief, the life of a professional footballer has some dark sides,” said Dr. Gouttebarge.

“FIFPro’s study, the first of its kind on a global scale, becomes the basis for the international football community to develop and implement optimal strategies to protect and promote the sustainable health of professional footballers.”

Former professional footballers report more mental health problems than current players, endorsing that the period just after retirement from professional football is a critical one for many players.

“We found mental illness among former professional footballers occurs more often than in other measured populations.”

Read more about the FIFPro study here

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22 Comments
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    Mute Gillian Doyle
    Favourite Gillian Doyle
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:08 PM

    The guy in the green thong would be all the incentive you’d need to become an elite runner…..or at least a faster runner than him ;)

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    Mute Mikey
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:12 PM

    Imagine the chafing

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    Mute Barry
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:39 PM

    Gillian, I can agree that he’s good motivation to run faster.

    I’ve encountered him at three races so far, each time he has the same “outfit”, you don’t want to get stuck running behind him! :-)

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    Mute Damien Knox
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:06 PM

    I’d just be hoping he’d remember to make sure “something” doesn’t decide to fall out, or get excited about anything.

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    Mute Earl Fitzgerald
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:59 PM

    Thats me in the mankini… no chafing per-say… I got a lot of crazy looks, really dont know why.
    I would not do it again unless I got €10,000 for charity, but would be open for sponsorship to do it again for the Dublin one in October.

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 2:21 PM

    Look at the tan lines on him. Has he been training wearing that outfit?!! He’s also shaved down below.

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    Mute karla carroll
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:14 PM

    I did the flora woman’s mini marathon last year with my 12 year old daughter .

    The men don’t get a medal when they finish, I think they should, they dress up, add enjoyment to the day and raise funds for good causes.

    Then you get the ones who skip out parts of the course and still get the medal ( you know who you are).

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    Mute Sandra Turner
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:23 PM

    The people who skip ucd!!

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:55 PM

    Would that be a certain WORLDLY lady? Its wrong though. Everyone who competes and finishes should get one

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    Mute Midlands Half Marath
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:27 PM

    Definitely they should.

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    Mute Colm Austin
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 4:10 PM

    The ‘mini marathon’ is not a marathon…

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    Mute Mikey
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:11 PM

    Jesus Ray D’Arcy looks like death in that photo!

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    Mute Denny Klatt
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 12:22 PM

    He looks the colour of boiled shite alright…

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    Mute Emily Martin
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:26 PM

    I will proudly be the “Casual walker” in tomorrows mini marathon raising money for MS Ireland- have a great day tomorrow to everybody taking part!

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    Mute Midlands Half Marath
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:27 PM

    Fair play to the Honey Monster…..must be boiling in that thing. Hope it wasn’t a rental costume, wouldn’t like to be the next person to hire it!

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    Mute Susan O Connell
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:05 PM

    ‘What has happened to Declan’ ? :)

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    Mute Aoife Quinn
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:42 PM

    I don’t know, I don’t know! :)

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    Mute BronaghSweeney
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 5:35 PM

    He was scaring me!

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    Mute Dylan Prendergast
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:48 PM

    The sort who is just a mega attention seeker who tells the whole town they are doing the marathon for charity but really they don’t care about the charity they just care about self promotion.

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    Mute Oisín Ó Dubhsláine
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 3:08 PM

    As I went with Earl Fitzgerald on his maiden training run in a mankini, I can safely say he trained in it.

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    Mute Kieran O'Leary
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 2:51 PM

    Most of those pictures are Dublin Marathon, which is in October. Not to be confused with Monday’s event in Dublin. Both of which are great though!

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    Mute curly nettie
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:27 PM

    Did one last weekend in the Burren, none of this!!!!! No crowds, no fancy dress, fab!

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    Mute Kerry William Nicholson
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    Jun 2nd 2013, 1:03 PM

    Your opening paragraph should also have included the Derry Marathon which takes place today

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    Mute Martin Ryan
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    Jun 3rd 2013, 1:04 AM

    I’m just delighted I’m in one of the pics!!

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