Snooker Star Mark Allen Reveals 10-Week Mental Health Clinic Stay
The former world No. 1 shared his struggles after a recent match, receiving widespread support.
Snooker player Mark Allen has revealed he spent the last 10 weeks in a mental health clinic, a disclosure that came a day after he admitted his professional career might be over. The former world No. 1 made the comments following his first-round exit at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast.
Allen, known as 'The Pistol,' told TNT Sports that he has been dealing with significant internal struggles, stating he was "just trying to survive." In a subsequent social media post, he elaborated on his situation, confirming the 10-week clinic stay. "Everything I said in that interview was true. However, rest assured I’m doing my best to turn things round," he wrote. "I have been in a mental health clinic for the last 10 weeks, finally discharging so I could attempt to play in Belfast."
He added, "I’m not OK, but I’m OK in that itself. I’ve been much worse in the last few months than you saw yesterday. I literally didn’t see a future in anything... I see the light now that I couldn’t see before but I do now. I also know it won’t happen overnight. I’m a work in progress!!! My fight and determination on the table has always been there to see. I need to show those same fighting qualities off it now for a while."
Allen's career has seen him reach the world No. 1 ranking, win the Masters and UK Championship titles, but it has also been marked by personal challenges. He declared himself bankrupt in January 2021, citing that he spent his £3.5 million in career prize money rapidly. "I just overspent in every aspect of my life," he told BBC Sport in October 2022. "Bankruptcy was the only choice. It's easy to read that I made £3.5m on the table, but I spent it as fast as it was coming in."
His financial difficulties were compounded by his divorce from ex-wife Kyla McGuigan in May 2020. The couple were married for seven years and share a daughter, Harleigh. Allen also has a daughter with former girlfriend and fellow snooker player Reanne Evans. The pair had a turbulent three-year relationship ending in 2008, and their past tensions resurfaced in 2021 when Evans refused to shake hands before a match.
More recently, Allen has embarked on a healthier lifestyle, losing five stone after cutting out alcohol and improving his diet. This transformation was partly inspired by advice from snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan and a friend who warned him about his lifestyle. "Before I started my diet, I was 19.1 stone which is really embarrassing to say for someone of my height and age. I'm now 14st 10lbs," he stated in September 2022.
Allen remarried last year to Sara Herald. His emotional interview and subsequent statement have garnered significant attention, with his candidness drawing praise and support from fans and fellow players, including opponent Jordan Brown. Footage of his interview shared by TNT Sports has been viewed over 2.7 million times. Allen expressed gratitude for the support, stating, "Thank you to every single message I have received... Just know that they have helped me a lot but I’m not going anywhere just yet!!!! I have so much to live for and this is only the beginning of my new journey."