Thursday 4 May 2017 14:29, UK
Ex-Premier League footballer Leon McKenzie says his fightback from acute depression offers Aaron Lennon hope for the future.
Everton winger Lennon is currently receiving care and treatment for a stress-related illness after being detained by Police on Sunday under the Mental Health Act.
McKenzie's battle with depression resulted in an attempt to take his own life during his time at Charlton in 2010. The former Crystal Palace striker rebuilt his career from the depths of despair, continuing his playing career at Northampton before becoming a professional boxer in 2013.
"What's happened with Aaron - who is someone I have played against - rings true with my own life," McKenzie told Sky Sports.
"It's very close to my heart because of my own experiences and hearing what he's going through is very sad and brings back memories for me of being in an isolated place.
"I would have reached out and spoken to him had I known and hopefully I will be able to in the future.
"But what I have done since my own dark days shows things can be turned round positively," added McKenzie, who has had 10 fights as a professional boxer and challenged Jahmaine Smyle for the English super-middleweight title last year.
"Stepping into the ring was a big deal for me and I'm even studying counselling. I still have my bad days and it's not easy for me but I've not relapsed. I'm still fighting and I will continue to fight, that's my testimony."
McKenzie has remained active as a mental health campaigner and has worked extensively in the field with mental health charities including MIND and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
The former Norwich and Coventry striker has also just launched his own mental health initiative - Mind Repositioning - ahead of Mental Health Week, which kicks off on Monday.
The 39-year-old has called for greater action on mental health in football, insisting stakeholders across the game must employ more pre-emptive strategies to tackle the issue rather than adopting reactionary measures.
"There is no consistency with respect to progress on mental health in football," he said.
"It's always when something bad happens then people react. We have to have a consistent strategy that allows people to feel comfortable enough to speak about it.
"We need to do more when it seems quiet rather than reacting when something bad happens."
