PFA Scotland chair Mikey Devlin has issued a stark warning that Scottish football is 'sleepwalking towards a tragedy' due to its inadequate approach to mental health.
Devlin, speaking from his own experiences with injuries and the subsequent mental toll, implored decision-makers to implement proactive changes. "We have more information and more knowledge, more resources, than we’ve ever had around mental health. So what are we waiting for?" he questioned, highlighting a perceived inaction within the sport.
PFA Scotland actively works to address these issues, offering workshops and awareness programs for players. The union also provides a 24/7 confidential support service through Sporting Chance. However, Devlin stressed that these efforts cannot be the sole responsibility of his organization.
Personal Struggles and Systemic Issues
Devlin's playing career, which included spells at Hamilton, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Livingston, and Ayr United, was significantly impacted by recurring injuries. This physical pain, he explained, evolved into mental anguish, a downward spiral that eventually led to his retirement.
"At no point did anybody ask the question, and I don’t blame anyone else for that. It’s a systemic issue, but nobody’s checking in about how you are mentally, how’s the head, do you need any support, how are you coping," Devlin stated, drawing a parallel to how physical injuries are assessed.
He described his mental state as an "unfriendly place" filled with rumination, anxiety about contracts, fitness, and self-worth. This internal turmoil led to feelings of purposelessness, a lack of happiness, and profound numbness or sadness.
"I had a job so I still had to get up in the morning but that felt like the toughest thing to do. And I didn’t want anyone detecting there was anything wrong with me. But then when I went home came the crash after I dropped the act," he recalled, detailing the social isolation that followed.
The Path to Understanding
A turning point for Devlin came through a conversation with his sister, who helped him reframe his feelings as symptoms of depression, an illness. This realization provided a crucial "lightbulb moment," guiding him toward seeking the necessary help.
Devlin expressed concern about the disproportionate number of male suicides, noting that approximately 75 percent of suicides in Scotland since COVID-19 have been men. He linked this to societal pressures and the concept of "toxic masculinity," which can hinder men from openly discussing their emotions.
"My worry is that they can resort to an irreversible outcome and that’s it. Once you take that step you can’t come back from that," he said, referencing the loss of young men to suicide in his hometown of Motherwell.
A Call for Parity with Physical Health
Devlin believes the game's approach to mental health lags far behind its handling of physical injuries. "When it’s a physical injury we can see the issue. There are physios, sports scientists, medical professionals to deal with it. When it’s someone’s mental health, it’s much easier to hide it and more difficult to detect," he explained.
He advocates for the integration of specialists in mental health care within football clubs. "It seems utterly bizarre to me, and so far behind the times, that we don’t engage in that conversation about someone’s wellbeing," Devlin remarked.
From a human and organizational perspective, PFA Scotland advises clubs to prioritize the mental health of their employees. "How can we not see the importance of players’ mental health? Why do we not deal with it in the same way as physical health? Until we see them at the same level we’ll always be swimming against the tide."