‘I’ve sat at the very precipice of life’: Clarke Carlisle on gambling, depression – and survival

The useful part

The former professional footballer has struggled with his mental health for most of his life. It took five suicide attempts for him to admit how badly he wanted to end it. He talks about how he turned the corner – and his hopes for his new post with the charity Mind 'How are you?" I ask Clarke Carlisle.

How it works

• Yeah, really, really good," says the former footballer and incoming chair of the mental health charity Mind.
• You do something, you go into hospital and they patch you up, then send you on your way.
• You might get some pills, have a counselling session, you might have a hug and a chat with someone, and they think that's the end of the journey.

Details worth keeping

Few understand what recovery means like he does. Once you get stable that's not the end of the journey. That seems to be the MO of our society these days.