A former footballer has called on young men to speak out about mental illness and embrace the support they have around them.

Clarke Carlisle, now 37, was a former professional footballer for Burnley and Leeds United and played in the England under-21s national side.

But under the surface, Mr Carlisle was battling serious mental health problems throughout his professional career, and even tried to take own life twice.

The former star visited a school in Belfast to help others experiencing similar issues, in particular to talk to young men who may be too embarrassed or afraid to speak out.

He said the highest rate of suicide is among men under the age of 45.

“The belief structure about what it is to be a man… the understanding of what emotions are and how to process them constructively… our young men are bereft of that.

“They also feel that they’re bereft of any kind of support structure because they should be dealing with things on their own.”

But he says these issues should be tackled at home, at school, and at work.

He said society as a whole is failing to understand and support the mental health issues of young people.

He finished by saying he still has “bad days”, but no-one has to be alone in the battle against depression.