A call with Chris Kirkland

In these challenging times due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wigan Warriors first team players were given an inspiring talk via Zoom video call by former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. 

The aim of the talk was to give Wigan players a ‘different perspective’ on the issue of mental health – in a time where it is prominent more than ever before.

In recent years, 6ft 6 and ex-Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper, Kirkland, has opened about his own mental health struggles.

The 39-year-old, who made over 300 appearances spanning across 18 years, has recently been named the new sports ambassador for Parkland Place – a rehab in North Wales for addiction in alcohol, drugs and gambling.

Kirkland said: “Hopefully it helps the lads a lot. We talk a lot more about mental health now – it’s the norm within society and I’ve been open about it. 

“There’s a lot of people out there that are really suffering at the moment, but there are people that will help you and will go above and beyond for you.

“We’ve had to come up with a lot of different things during this lockdown period and I’ve done a lot of Zoom and FaceTime calls to different people. 

“A lot of things can happen in our personal lives that can set the ball in motion. When you are feeling down and sad, the biggest thing is talking. 

“If we can take one thing out of this period, hopefully it will be to be kinder to people and to help people more.”

Tom Fitzpatrick, Warriors Player Welfare Manager, added: “It was to give a different perspective on what other people are going through at the minute – although lockdown isn’t ideal and people are struggling – other people are struggling as well and maybe your situation isn’t as bad as it might seem when you put it into perspective. 

“We all know the good work Rugby League Cares does to raise awareness of mental health and providing support for players when they need it, but it’s always good to see how different players and athletes from different sports have coped with it – what their copying strategies are and their stories too.

“It’s been eight weeks – some people have coped really well; some people have struggled. There’s been some great positives to come out of it – spending time with family, being inventive in ways to keep busy and Zoom video call has taken off too with quizzes. 

“People are coming together through different methods that we wouldn’t normally do.”

Fitzpatrick, who led the question and answer session with Kirkland, explained what the video call entailed. 

“I asked a series of questions through his career and how he coped with different challenges – looking at his high and low points in his life, his mental health and how it affected him throughout everything. 

“He spoke about that and opened up. He was very honest. The players were then given the opportunity to ask him questions as well.”

Tune in to Wigan TV to see the full interview with Kirkland as he talks in depth about his own personal struggles relating to mental health.