Mark Allen mental health admission sparks conversations from charities - Northern Ireland Snooker Open

After his 4-2 defeat to Jordan Brown he indicated he is set to take another long and potentially permanent break from the sport.

In an emotional interview with TNT Sports yesterday, Allen said he was “really overwhelmed”, adding: “I’m in a bad place at the minute, so even just to go out there and try was tough."

“I think if I wasn’t playing Jordan I wouldn’t have come back. I felt like if I was going to play one last time, playing here at the Waterfront, where it all started in 2005, against one of my best mates, I thought that was a better way to sign out.”

He added that he “just don’t see a future with snooker in it” and “at the minute I’m just trying to survive”.

Then today after he revealed he had spent 10 weeks in a mental health clinic.

“Everything I said in that interview was true. However, rest assured I’m doing my best to turn things round,” he said on X.

“I have been in a mental health clinic for the last 10 weeks, finally discharging so I could attempt to play in Belfast.

“I owed that to my family, in particular my daughter to see me play for what could be the last time… I also owed it to the fans who have supported me throughout my 21 years on tour.

He added: “My daughter kept me going, the therapists, staff and all the other patients were amazing and helped me through some really dark days."

Action Mental Health Northern Ireland CEO, David Babington, told the News Letter that they send their best wishes to Mark and are heartened that he has been receiving support and has been feeling better.

"His interview may have resonated with others experiencing difficulties of their own, and it's important that people know they are not alone, that support is available and that things can get better," David said.

"We see every day through our services across Northern Ireland that, with the right support, people can make progress and recover."

He added: "When someone is struggling, even everyday tasks can feel overwhelming. We would encourage anyone experiencing difficulties to speak to someone they trust and to contact their GP for further advice and support.

"Small steps such as maintaining a routine, getting enough rest and staying connected with friends and family can also help us manage difficult periods. People can find information and local support through the Public Health Agency's Minding Your Head website."

Michael Lynch, is coordinator Men's Action Network (MAN), a men's mental health charity in Londonderry.

"The key message to get out there is that it's not failure or weakness for a man to ask for help and support because at the end of the day all of us will struggle at times," he told the News Letter.

"I don't know Mark personally but for anybody coming the end of something that has been a big huge part of the life, it can be a major transition point and that can be very difficult.

"I spend a lot of time talking to individuals about how we talk to ourselves in our own head. And it is important that we're talking healthy gentle thoughts to ourselves because if not, then we can be living in our own private hell."

Men can find distractions in the gym, running or even addictions to try and escape negative thoughts, he said. "So it is important that we have a place to be able to sit down and discuss them."

His groups has been operating for 32 years and supports men who wrestle with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and addictions. Many men also struggle with childhood sexual abuse, while nowadays one in five can be victims of domestic abuse and coercive control, he said.

Other pressures men can struggle with can be work, finances, housing, relationships, and their children.

Also today, 55-year-old Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon raised concerns about the psychological welfare of modern-day football managers amid the “instant” and “over the top” scrutiny of their role.

“I do worry about managers sometimes, are they getting enough support, because they are thrown out there, we bare our soul every weekend in front of the public,” said on Podcast ‘Unmasked’.

• Anyone struggling with mental health issues can call Lifeline free, 24 hours a day, on 0808 808 8000.