A FOOTBALLER who tried to end his life has encouraged others to open up about their mental health.

Ryan Mack, 29, spent three weeks at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital earlier this year after trying to commit suicide.

Now, he is back playing football and has urged people to seek help if they are struggling with their mental health.

The goalkeeper, who played for Dunbar United last season and is now with Whitehill Welfare, said: “I have been quite down for a few years and thought to myself, being a guy, that I could deal with it myself and not speak to anybody.

“It got really bad at the end of last year and the start of this year.

“I had moved into my mum’s for a couple of weeks and it got really bad and I tried to commit suicide twice in two days. There was nothing to life, if that makes sense.

“I felt like I was living to live instead of living to enjoy myself.

“I just felt like I was living to please everybody else and never take time for myself.

“It just got that bad that I never saw any other way.”

And he added: “My family knew I was struggling with my mental health but nobody knew it was as bad as it was.

“I think you only tell people what you want them to know.

“I kept it to myself and tried to deal with it myself.

“Obviously, it got on top of me.”

Ryan, of Prestonpans, agreed to talk to the Courier in a bid to show anyone else who was struggling that there is hope – and help out there – and life can get better.

He is also trying to spread this message through his love of football – and has sponsored the training kit of Tranent Amateur Football Club, who play in the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association (LEAFA), by putting the name of Musselburgh-based positive mental health charity Changes on the team’s tops.

Already, there has been an outpouring of support for Ryan – and his efforts – from not just people in East Lothian but Scotland’s footballing community and beyond.

Ryan stressed he was “very much in recovery” rather than recovered but was doing well.

The vehicle spray painter said: “I would say there is a bit of progress being made [in terms of mental health awareness].

“There is a lot more on the social media side of stuff, with people saying they would rather speak to a friend than go to their funeral.

“To be fair, that is absolutely true and the heartbreak for people.

“People I have not spoken to in years have been saying they would never know [about my struggles].

“I’m just a happy guy and it is just hidden [to others]. People hide it so well.

“Even now, I don’t think I would reach out to friends but that’s just me. Personally, I would prefer to talk to somebody I don’t know – as long as you speak to someone, that’s what’s important.

“Progress is being made in terms of making mental health more of a priority in society, definitely, but there is still quite a bit to go.”

Caitlin Rodgers, chief executive of Changes, described the sponsorship as “a fantastic gesture”.

She said: “We greatly appreciate his support and we’re so glad to hear he’s in a better place.

“By opening up and publicly sharing his own challenges he is saying ‘it’s ok’ for others to speak up.

“There will likely be people reading his posts, going through their own struggles, perhaps feeling alone, unsure who to talk to and how to start that conversation.

“They might now consider sharing how they’re doing, whether that’s with a friend, a colleague or a service like Changes.

“That is the power of sharing, it can and does save lives.

“We wish Ryan well in his continued journey towards positive mental health.

“To anyone reading this who is struggling and looking for support, don’t go through it alone.

“Contact our team today, you’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome and we’ll work together to find the support that’s right for you.”

Jack Godsell, manager of the Sunday team Ryan has sponsored, has played football with Ryan for about eight years.

He was hopeful Ryan’s story and Changes’ name on their warm-up kit would help people in similar situations.

He said: “That’s the aim; that is part of why Ryan did it. He is helping to run the team with us and that was his aim. It looks like it has done all right so far.”

FOR more information on Changes, call 0131 653 3977 or visit www.changeschp.org.uk

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year.

You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.