Mark Allen issues statement after emotional Northern Ireland Open interview and reveals mental health struggles - 'My daughter kept me going'
Mark Allen has revealed he spent 10 weeks in a mental health clinic before competing at the Northern Ireland Open after issuing a statement on Wednesday morning following an emotional interview in the wake of his first-round defeat at the Northern Ireland Open.
Allen lost to fellow Ulsterman Jordan Brown 4-2 on Tuesday at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast and later admitted he was considering retirement in an interview with TNT Sports.
In a social media statement, Allen said he would continue treatment before deciding what comes next. He thanked his family, fans and snooker officials for their support and stressed that Brown deserved full credit for his victory.
He wrote: "A statement on yesterday.
"Everything I said in that interview was true. However, rest assured I’m doing my best to turn things round.
"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.
"I also owed that to World Snooker who have been amazing from day on in all this, in particular Simon Brownell and Neil Tomkins who have remained in touch regularly, even Simon paying me a visit in the clinic itself.
"I’m not ok, but I’m ok in that itself. I’ve been much worse in the last few months than you saw yesterday. I literally didn’t see a future in anything…..
"My daughter kept me going, the therapists, staff and all the other patients were amazing and helped me through some really dark days.
"I see the light now that I couldn’t see before but I do now. I also know it won’t happen overnight. I’m a work in progress!!! My fight and determination on the table has always been there for ones to see. I need to show those same fighting qualities off it now for a while.”
Allen paid tribute to opponent Brown and said he was “proud” of his friendship with the Northern Ireland player.
"Please don’t detract anything from Jordan yesterday, he’s been aware of my struggles and that can’t have been easy to play in but he handled it with grace and skill as I knew he would,” his statement continued.
“Im proud to call him a friend.
"I hope the rest of the event is a success and I will continue my treatments going forward and then see what’s ahead.
"Thank you to every single message I have received on here, instagram, Facebook, text messages and WhatsApp’s, I’ve seen them all but a bit overwhelmed to reply right now. Just know that they have helped me a lot but I’m not going anywhere just yet!!!! I have so much to live for and this is only the beginning of my new journey.
"Also, I was not made to do any interviews, I was simply given a choice and felt I owed it to everyone to speak. The media team at WST have been incredible through all this too.
"Thank you all x."