PFA warns of three 'emerging concerns' for professional footballers

01 November 2023 , 07:30

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The PFA have conducted a mental health survey of over 1,000 of its members (Image: Getty Images)

The Professional Footballers’ Association is concerned about the increase in mental health issues related to the use of Snus and prescription medication.

Survey results from over 1,000 professional players have revealed that, while there have been great strides made in mental wellbeing, there are new issues which need to be addressed. The data from the 2022/23 season, released on National Stress Awareness Day, shows that 20 per cent of male footballers surveyed had experienced severe anxiety in the previous month, with 41 per cent of males and 59 per cent of females reporting some nervousness or anxiety.

While injuries (68 per cent), performance (47 per cent) and being dropped (47 per cent) accounted for the most football-related worries among men, the PFA’s director of wellbeing, Dr Michael Bennett, said particular off-field issues had emerged from the research.

“Snus has been a recurring theme that’s come out of our player surveys, in regards to players using it and the addiction issues they have,” he told Mirror Football . “The PFA wants to be on the front-foot and advise our members about it, so the research is key.” The PFA is undertaking research on the nicotine pouches, which have skyrocketed in popularity among players.

Dr Bennett said that footballers struggling with addictions to prescription drugs have also come to the fore, with players encouraged to seek help after hearing Dele Alli speak about his addiction to sleeping pills and Chris Kirkland bravely open up about painkillers. He said: “What we’ve found with painkillers and sleeping pills is that they come about as a result of a different presenting issue – depression, anxiety, drinking.”

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Another prevalent issue concerns social media, with 40 per cent of female players surveyed saying they had received some form of online abuse. “Some who have come forward to seek support around depression, stress and anxiety have mentioned social media,” Dr Bennett said. “I would say the number of people coming forward has grown because of social media issues that they’ve encountered.”

While there are some worrying new trends in player wellbeing, there is also much more support available for players than previously. Back in 2011, Dr Bennett was the only person at the PFA involved in the area. Now in conjunction with Sporting Chance, there are 270 therapists available to players and ex-professionals.

Dele Alli opened up on his addiction to sleeping pills earlier this year (TheOverlap/Youtube)

Dr Bennett was himself a professional footballer for clubs including Charlton, Brentford and Brighton. He struggled with a long-term injury in his playing career and, after retiring aged 29, felt compelled to move into his current role due to the lack of support available. He has found his own background hugely beneficial: “I get more pleasure now than I ever did from playing football.”

He has played a leading role in improving mental health services for footballers. “In 2011 there was a stigma around mental health, it was a taboo subject to talk about,” he explained. “Over the years it’s been about trying to make players aware that mental health isn’t this sort of padded cell or strapped-in arms thing that people seem to think about. It could be an issue about a long-term injury which caused your mental health to be impacted, it could be concerns around transitioning out of the game. It has changed and players are becoming more and more engaged, more forthright in wanting to talk about the issues that they’re faced with.”

Having initially struggled to get players to engage, Dr Bennett says the PFA’s 24/7 counselling helpline was used over 600 times last year. Players are now taking an active role in shaping the PFA’s strategy. “When I first had this role it was more of a service-led approach – I was implementing support services I thought I would’ve wanted when I played,” he said. “We’ve now moved from a service-led approach to a needs-led approach where we’re asking the players what they want and then implementing that support.”

Dr Michael Bennett has been in his current role since 2011 (PFA)

While awareness around the importance of mental health is growing quickly, Dr Bennett believes there is still an unfair perception which tarnishes footballers. “These are people who happen to play football. They will encounter the same issues as anybody else,” he said.

“The perception is that they’re earning thousands of pounds and because they’re earning vast amounts of money they shouldn’t have any wellbeing issues. That isn’t the case. A bereavement in the family will affect you no matter how much money you’ve got in the bank.”

Felix Keith