James McClean: Charity offers to meet footballer over therapy comments

A men's mental health charity has offered to meet footballer James McClean after he told a newspaper he views speaking to a psychologist as "weak".

In an interview with the Sunday Independent , the Derry City player said he had never tried therapy because "as a man I would see that as a weakness".

Michael Lynch, from Men's Action Network (MAN) based in Londonderry, said the charity would welcome the opportunity to meet with him to discuss the importance of encouraging all men to feel comfortable seeking support when they need it.

McClean, who is currently not playing for his hometown club amid an ongoing contract dispute , gave the comments during a wide-ranging interview on topics including his new book, which details the social media abuse he has faced for refusing to wear a poppy, as well as death threats he has received.

The former Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City player spoke about his wife's view that he had "built-up anger and frustration" that he had blocked out, to which the interviewer asked him if he had ever tried therapy.

McClean responded that he had heard his brother, fellow Derry City player Patrick McClean, "on a call to a club psychologist, having a lovely chat".

"And a lot of the players speak to him and for me that's just weak.

"As a man, I see that as weakness. I don't need to open up.

"I see it as a weakness that I'd have to speak to someone about my feelings, my emotions."

'Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness'

Lynch said he would welcome a meeting with McClean to discuss his views, as first reported by Derry Now .

He told BBC News that NI McClean was entitled to his views and "neither I nor anyone else is entitled to say otherwise, because men's mental health is such a complex issue".

"In some ways, I agree with him, in the sense that he mentioned that the only person who can decide whether seeking support is right for them is the person themselves, because nobody can do it for you.

"But what I and others involved with MAN would say is that there is certainly still a stigma around men feeling that they cannot reach out at times and say, 'I am not OK and need to seek support', when that is so far from the truth."

Lynch added that "asking for help isn't a sign of weakness".

"For men to recognise that they need support and act on it is incredibly brave."

Lynch said James McClean was an influential figure, particularly for young men from Derry, given his sporting and personal achievements.

"We would obviously welcome a meeting with someone of that stature, for him to come and meet with the people we speak with every day, and we would love for him to have a conversation with us.

"I think it would be really beneficial for people to hear from someone who has achieved so much in his career and has been a role model for so many people, to show what can be achieved with hard work."

James McClean has had an acclaimed club and international career, having earned 103 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

The 37-year-old began his career at Derry City before moving to Sunderland and appearing for a number of clubs in the Premier League and Championship, including Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke and Wigan Athletic.

He later made more than 100 appearances for Wrexham in all competitions, scoring eight goals, before returning to Derry City in January last year.

His return to his hometown club, however, has been derailed by a contract dispute which he has described as "incomprehensible".

McClean has described the past few months as "one of the most difficult periods of his life" and also apologised over social media posts in which he aired frustrations over the ongoing issues at Derry.

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