FORMER professional footballer Clarke Carlisle is supporting emergency service workers overcome mental health issues.

The 37-year-old former England under-21 is speaking at a Blue Light Network evening in Newcastle on March 31.

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind is celebrating the region-wide adoption of the network by emergency services at their end of year learning event.

Carlisle, of North Yorkshire, a Mind ambassador and former chairman of the Professional Footballers Association, will discuss breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues by sharing his own experiences, with people at the event.

Clarke struggled with depression throughout his playing career, attempted suicide and experienced a loss of identity after his retirement from professional football.

Clarke said: “It’s important that people have the toolkit they need to recognise and manage mental illness, especially in a high stress environment like the one our blue light workers deal with on a day-to-day basis.

“We must help to create a supportive environment for our emergency service workers so that mental health can be openly discussed in the work place, and those of us with mental health problems can get the support and respect we need.”