Yup it was completely mishandled i a crass way. Dr Michael Benjamin, Community Psychiatrist ------------------------------- myRay: On-line Self-Help CBT http://www.myRay.com http://www.myRay.org ------------------------------ Mental Health: http//www.MyDoctorExplains.com -------------------------------- Auditing || Quality Control http://www.MyDoctorExplains.com/alamo/ -------------------------------- Blog: http://www.DrMichaelBenjamin.com
On 10 February 2013 21:35, John Sykes <[email protected]> wrote: > I don't believe any of this was mentioned when Andy O'Brien was with LU. > I am copying this from our local paper in Vancouver - recalling a comment > I made when he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer. I > believe I owe him an apology. > > Here goes..... > > In Andy O'Brien's soccer career, the outside appearance has not always > matched the inside reality. > > Among the defender's playing highlights, he captained Bolton in a UEFA Cup > game against Sporting Lisbon in 2008, and was soon after voted his club's > player of the year. He signed a contract extension through 2011. Life > at the Reebok Stadium seemed grand. But part of the deal was that O'Brien > had to live within 20 miles of the grounds, and rather than getting home at > 5pm each day, he was home at 1 or 2. He'd think about grocery shopping, > but wouldn't shop. Instead, he'd sleep, eat fast food, and then sleep some > more. He didn't know why. > > "Looking back," O'Brien said Saturday from Whitecaps training camp in > Burnaby, "I didn't speak to people for maybe 18 hours from leaving training > to sitting in my flat. If you add it all up, you couldn't get away with > it. You can't flick a switch to correct everything." > > O'Brien's mental struggles came to a head at Leeds United in November 2011. > Derided by a section of the Elland Road fans after a tough start to the > season, and at odds with manager Simon Grayson, O'Brien refused to play a > match against Barnsley. > > The club banished him, then, after an internal inquiry, urged fans to > welcome him back following his treatment for depression at the Sporting > Chance Clinic. It was the Pro Footballer' Association that had steered > O'Brien to the clinic, which was founded by former England captain Tony > Adams, who'd struggled with alcoholism. > > That treatment, along with the support of his family, friends, team-mates > and current coaching staff in Vancouver, has brought O'Brien to a much > happier place. > > A reserved and humble player, he's keen to talk about it because he hopes > to encourage others to seek support, and perhaps chip away at the stigma > associated with mental disorder. > > *** later in the story *** > > These days, O'Brien is enjoying his soccer and his life. He's all smiles. > > His final two months of the 2012 season were terrific as the calming > counterpoint to Jay DeMerit in the Whitecaps' defence. And he'll be the > cornerstone of the squad as coach Martin Rennie is eager to tap into his > experience and leadership for a full season. O'Brien said "I've had > managers in the past that have screamed at you to get more out of you, > which you do need sometimes. I had a conversation with (Rennie) which I'll > never forget, and it was a big part of me joining the club. He said "I > realize you're not necessarily in a good place right now (Leeds) and I know > coming to Vancouver won't automatically change that, but if you give me the > opportunity, I'll do my best to try and put you in a good place." > > "What more can I say? He's done that. Him, the staff, the fans. > Everybody's been supportive and I can't thank them enough. I feel that I'm > in a great place." > > > > > I know the above is a bit long....but needed to be sent. As I say, I > don't recall any of this being mentioned during his stay at Leeds > United...too bad it wasn't handled better. > > Grampa Sykes > ______________________________**_________________ > Leedslist mailing list > Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.** > uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist<http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist> > To unsubscribe, email > [email protected].**org<[email protected]> > > PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate > > _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate
