FORMER footballer Clarke Carlisle has announced he is set to launch a mental health charity, months after attempting to commit suicide.

The ex-Leeds United and York City defender said the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis would be launched in three months to build on moves to debunk issues surrounding psychological well-being, and in particular the condition where people have mental health and substance use problems.

The former chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, of Catton, near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, said he had received offers of help after revealing the plan, but intended to develop the charity slowly to maximise its effectiveness.

He said: "Let's continue the great work that has been done in raising the profile of mental health, and let's take it a step further."

The 35-year-old father-of-three was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, suffering cuts, bruises, internal bleeding, a broken rib and a shattered left knee after being hit by a lorry on the A64 in December, before being admitted as an in-patient to a psychiatric unit in Harrogate.

He said he had reached an epiphany that he was "incredibly unwell".

Mr Carlisle was charged with failing to provide a sample after being stopped by police on December 20, two days before his suicide bid.

An NHS spokesman said dual diagnosis describes people who have severe mental heath problems, such as

schizophrenia, depression or bi-polar disorder, at the same time as drug or alcohol problems.

He said people with these disorders are often found outside the mental health services' systems of care, frequently among the homeless, and within the criminal justice system.