Newcastle's Burn on Mental Health and Seeking Support
Dan Burn, defender for Newcastle United and England, has spoken openly about the benefits of therapy for mental health, encouraging those facing challenges to seek assistance.
Burn made these remarks during the launch of 'One of Our Own,' an external initiative by Newcastle United and Newcastle City Council, introduced to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week.
As part of the initiative, eleven specially commissioned public benches featuring thought-provoking questions have been installed throughout Newcastle. These benches aim to foster open conversations about mental health.
Each bench is equipped with QR codes that provide access to a network of support services, including 24/7 helplines such as the Samaritans.
"I want to help my kids and the younger lads coming through because I know that I've had that experience," Burn told BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria).
"There are things that are going to happen in their careers they have never had the experience of, so I've just tried to pass on little bits of wisdom.
"I'm always trying to say there's ways you can deal with mental health. Therapy worked quite well for me.
"That doesn't mean it works for everyone, but things like this, the walking football - there's always something you can do to help each other and help yourself."
Burn expressed pride in his personal journey, recalling that he was released by Newcastle as a youth player and later by Fulham in 2016.
He received his first call-up to the England national team last year and is hopeful of being selected for the upcoming World Cup squad this summer.
"I'm desperate to be there," he said. "It's not as if it's going to come around again.
"I'm 34, so I'd be very surprised if I was in the running for the next World Cup.
"Hopefully I've done enough. We will find out in a couple of weeks."
National teams must submit their World Cup squads by 31 May. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, running from 11 June to 19 July.
