Carlisle's plea for mental aid courses

Former footballer Clarke Carlisle has called for first aid-style courses in mental health to be introduced after revealing he spent the build-up to Christmas in hospital as he continues to battle with depression.

Carlisle, 36, told Good Morning Britain he had suffered increased anxiety ahead of the one-year anniversary of his failed suicide attempt but said his condition had improved after a change of medication.

Carlisle, who played for Blackpool, Burnley and Preston North End, stepped in front of a moving truck on the A64 near York in December 2014, suffering cuts, bruises, internal bleeding, a broken rib and a shattered left knee.

“It was quite a tough period in the winter over December and that was tied in with the anniversary of my suicide attempt and building up to that there was increased levels of anxiety,” he said.

“My fear was in the emotions that would surface on the day. It wasn’t a fear of anything tangible or of anything that happened, it was really bizarre.

“So I went back into hospital for three weeks to get my medication changed.

“I was discharged to my family over the Christmas period and now some six, seven weeks on they’re taking full effect and I’m stepping on and out.”

Although he went back to hospital, Carlisle described the period as an “almighty success” as he had recognised his condition early enough to treat it, and he believes more should be done to teach people what to look for.

“It’s a huge step forward because instead of getting to...where I’m actively suicidal, I’ve seen the signs and the symptoms and I’ve recognised what’s going on in my mind and in my body,” he said.

“So the counselling helped before anything got out of hand. I think it shows how far my journey of self-awareness has come and how good my network, especially my family, are to get me through those times.

“In my case it’s because my depressive episode was so severe I was beyond redemption.

“It had such a grip of me that my thoughts and my perceived reality were that suicide was the logical rational, best thing for all concerned.

“That’s the power of the illness and it is so important that we talk about it.

“Mental health first aid should be taught alongside physical so you identify the symptoms and you know the course of action.”

Chris Kilbride, 24, a father-of-two from Leeds, who helped Carlisle at the scene of the crash, later took his own life.

He had spoken previously of the trauma he experienced at seeing the sport star’s horrific injuries. Carlisle offered his condolences to Mr Kilbride’s family.