Victoria Beckham says David was ‘clinically depressed’ after red card backlash – Where to get mental health help
Victoria Beckham has revealed her husband, David Beckham was "clinically depressed" after the World Cup red card, which saw him become the target of abuse from fans.
The mental health reveal comes as the couple are set to appear in a new Netflix series titled Beckham, released on Wednesday.
In episode two of the documentary series, Victoria, 49, and David, 48, discuss the backlash they received in the late 1990s after the footballer was sent off during an England match and the impact it had on David's wellbeing.
"He was absolutely broken. He was in pieces," Victoria revealed.
"He was really depressed, absolutely clinically depressed.
"It pained me so much, I still want to kill these people."
Discussing the abuse he received and how it impacted him, David said: "I don’t think I have ever talked about it, just because I can’t. I find it hard to talk through what I went through because it was so extreme.
"Wherever I went, I got abused every single day.
"To walk down the street and to see people look at you in a certain way, spit at you, abuse you, come up to your face and say some of the things they said, that is difficult.
"I wasn't eating, I wasn’t sleeping. I was a mess. I didn't know what to do."
News that David was experiencing clinical depression comes as Roman Kemp also recently discussed his personal experiences of depression and suicidal thoughts in a plea to the government to step up its support on mental health.
The broadcaster, 30, voiced his concerns over a lack of action towards suicide prevention in an emotional letter shared to social media.
Posting a screenshot of the letter, addressed to the government and all MPs, to his Instagram account, Kemp explains that the UK’s mental health issues were "at a record high", urging the situation to be treated "like the pandemic that it is".
Mental health: The figures
As many as one in four adults and one in 10 children suffer from mental health problems in England.
One in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week, according to statistics from mental health charity Mind.
When it comes to suicide the Samaritans estimates that more than 6,000 people across the UK and Republic of Ireland take their own lives every year.
Meanwhile, one in five have suicidal thoughts and one in 15 attempt suicide, according to Mind.
While women are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and make attempts, men are three times more likely to take their own life (especially those in their 40s and 50s).
What to do if you're struggling with your mental health
The first step is opening up to someone about what you are going through, or feeling.
"While it can be really hard at first, a big part of being proactive about your mental health is seeking help and reaching out," Earim Chaudry, medical director at Men's wellness platform Manual told Yahoo Life UK.
"Whether that's going to your GP or looking for a counsellor, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to managing your mental health, but communicating how you're feeling is imperative."
While you still might need to seek support to help achieve this, Chaudry also explained how a healthy lifestyle can do wonders for your mind. "Going outside for a jog, getting a good night's sleep and a healthy diet can play a large role in feeling good again," he said.
"Putting in a little time to connect with others is also a great part of looking after your mental health," he added. "Setting aside some time to chat to a friend every week, volunteering and activities with your family are all ways you can really feel like you're establishing connections with other people."
Where to get help
If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you can:
call a GP – ask for an emergency appointment
call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need
contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one
If you would like to contact a specialist service that's waiting to be a listening ear, these include:
Samaritans – call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit some branches in person, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or call the Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123, 7pm-11pm every day
SANEline – call 0300 304 7000, 4pm-10pm every day
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – call on 0800 689 5652, 6pm-midnight every day
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – call on 0800 58 58 58, 5pm-midnight every day, or try the CALM webchat service
Shout – text SHOUT to 85258, any time
The Mix – if you under 25 call 0808 808 4994, 4pm-11pm Monday-Saturday
Visit Mind's website to find even more mental health crisis helplines.
If you have seriously harmed yourself or you feel you may be about to, call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E, or ask someone else to do it for you.
Additional reporting PA.
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