Boxer and Sky Blues star Leon backs mental health campaign
Former Sky Blues striker Leon McKenzie helps launch the ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ campaign on World Mental Health Day.
After starting his career at Crystal Palace, Leon joined Coventry City from Norwich City in 2006, scoring 12 goals in 62 appearances for the club, as part of an impressive career that saw him bag more than 100 goals at a total of seven Premier and Football League clubs.
But as the end of his pro football career approached, Leon experienced a painful journey to the depths of a debilitating depression, which culminated in him attempting to take his own life.
He battled through, however, and has built his own route to recovery.
Now he’s a boxer, and preparing for a tilt at the English Super Middleweight title next month.
He will take time out on Monday 10 October to describe his own experience, and to express his support for the new campaign, which aims to get men talking about how they feel in a bid to shed light on a topic that too often gets swept under the carpet – men’s mental health.
“It’s true,” he said. “It really does take a lot of bravery to speak up. Life can be tough, and sometimes it really does take balls to talk. That’s why I am glad to support this campaign and give my time.
“Hopefully others will see from my story – and other people’s shared as part of the campaign – that no matter how bad it feels, you are not alone. Others have these feelings too, and there are people around you who really will help. There are services that can help you, too.
“If you know someone who may be experiencing a difficult time you can help simply by recognising this, and by listening yourself. It seems that men struggle to see all of this sometimes, and that’s what ‘It takes balls to talk’ is all about.”
The campaign aims to generate thousands of conversations around the annual 10 October anniversary, with volunteers visiting sports matches around the area to talk to fans, including Wasps and Coventry City fixtures at the Ricoh Arena.
Social media and online resources will continue the conversation, with a second wave of activity already being planned for next May’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
Campaign organiser and mental health nurse Alex Cotton came up with the idea for the campaign after visiting a Sky Blues game for the first time, and realising what a great opportunity it presented to reach out to men with positive messages about mental health.
She explained: “National statistics show that three in every four people who take their own life are men. Women are far more likely to seek help and use local services such as the NHS when they experience mental distress. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and evidence shows that it really does start with talking about how you feel. Men simply aren’t very good at it, but our campaign aims to help change that.”
A group has been put together to run the campaign, led by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust - who provide mental health and other services across the area - together with Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, Samaritans, and other local organisations, as well as national mental health campaigners Time to Change.