Craig Bellamy reveals depression struggles
Sky Sports
Monday 18th May 2020
Former Cardiff and Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy has spoken for the first time during Mental Health Awareness Week about being diagnosed with depression.
Former Cardiff City, Liverpool and Celtic star Craig Bellamy reveals details of lengthy depression battle
At the beginning of Mental Health Awareness week, the former Bluebirds, Liverpool, Manchester City and Celtic winger has spoken bravely about his struggles
The former Bluebirds winger, who also excelled for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Celtic, has spoken of the mental toil his injuries took on him and how he became crippled with self doubt.
And in a video released today, which marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness week, Bellamy described himself as suffering with 'manic depression' and discussed the tribulations for the first time in a candid interview.
CRAIG BELLAMY:
"For the last three, four years I've been diagnosed with depression, manic depression," he told Sky Sports. "I can't get away from that.
"Ridiculous highs, massive lows. I've been medicated for three years and this is the first time I've ever spoken about it.
"The injuries didn't help. The injuries were so, so difficult to try and overcome.
"The self-doubt you have, which is normal, but you want to come back a better player and you have a lot of people telling you that you can't make it, you're never going to be the same."
Bellamy retired from the game in May 2014, citing injury troubles. He said he had been taking anti-inflammatory tablets every day for the previous three or for years to keep his body in check.
Since retiring from playing he has entered coaching, a role in which he has hit the headlines for some unsavoury reasons.
A report in the Daily Mail alleged that the former Bluebirds academy coach had bullied an ex-Cardiff academy player.
Bellamy denied the claims and stepped down from his position as coach before moving to Anderlecht last summer.
The Bluebirds subsequently vowed to implement robust changes after an investigation into accusations of bullying and abuse at the club highlighted 'a number of significant concerns' to its coaching procedures.
The club said it was unable to disclose details of those involved, however it did say the probe was related to both current and former employees.
Bellamy, however, later came out to apologise for any offence he caused during his time as Cardiff City academy coach, with the investigation having found an 'unacceptable coaching environment' at the club.
CRAIG BELLAMY:
"If I inadvertently offended anyone then I am truly sorry," the former City winger said back in October.
"My love for coaching has not for a moment been diluted, but I accept the report highlighted aspects of my coaching skills that could perhaps be improved.
"I have probably relied too much on my own life experiences playing under some of the best coaches in the world rather than assessing the sensitivities of a new generation of players."
Bellamy is now working under former Manchester City team-mate Vincent Kompany in Anderlecht's academy.
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