Let's talk about mental health - 13 years on from the tragic passing of Newcastle United legend Gary Speed

It's absolutely crazy to think that the tragic loss of Gary Speed was 13 years ago. It still feels surreal all these years on after the Newcastle United hero took his own life just hours after being a pundit on Match of the Day.

Seeing Dan Walker talk about the last time he spoke to Speed will always get me choked up, especially as a suicide survivor myself.

I've struggled with mental health issues for as long as I can remember and I've hit some pretty catastrophic lows during my time, and as I just hinted at there, hit absolute rock bottom not too long ago.

In fact, it was writing about Newcastle United for a living that has kept my head above water. The people I have met through doing this job, albeit virtually for the most part, have helped me more than they'll ever know. I've tried to tell them, but I don't think I could ever put into words just how much these guys have helped me - hopefully, you're all reading this and know who you are but just in case ... Karl, PK, Faz, Chris, Lee, Gids, Liam, Rich, Phil, Mark, Dave and many more that have come my way since starting this job.

Newcastle United saved my life

The takeover of Newcastle United came about just a few months after my attempt, and that also gave me a new lease on life, like suddenly, it felt like there was a chance that Newcastle could win something in my lifetime, and I should be around to see that.

Newcastle United saved my life in a way. Obviously, family and friends did the heavy lifting at the darkest of times, and continue to offer help and support, but this crazy club that brings us all together played no small part.

It's fantastic just how much people are willing to be more open about mental health struggles these days, but there's still a stigma attached that needs smashing. I could bet my cat that at least one person reading this is suffering in silence. You may not even know you're in the middle of a mental health crisis ... it took me too long to work it out ... but what I will say to you is to find someone to unload to.

Do not suffer in silence - people are more likely to listen than you think

It's okay not to be okay is a cliche for sure, but things often become cliches because there's truth to them. It's actually amazing how much talking to someone can help. You don't have to unburden your soul, you can just chip away at it and I promise it will make you feel better.

The past weekend, I was skirting around those very low lows again, and on Sunday, I went and sat in my parent's house with my folks and barely said a word for the first hour I was there, but eventually, my mood lifted, and I felt loads better. Simply being around people you love and who love you can be enough.

Football can be a great healer by bringing people together from all walks of life. Unfortunately, it can have the opposite effect too as passions boil over and people fling insults around like they're nothing blissfully unaware of the damage they could be doing. So take a moment to think before you react, take that breath before you make that post on social media, whether it be to a fellow fan or a player/manager.

You'd think that Gary Speed had the world at his feet and he wasn't immune to the demons, but we all know what happened. You never know what someone is dealing with.

I realise you don't come to NUFC Feed to hear about my personal woes and I'm not here fishing for sympathy - quite the opposite - I'm here to make sure you know that help is out there and it comes in many forms. If you feel like there's nobody you can turn to, then I'm here to say that my DMs are always open on X and bluesky, just hit me up at @harrichun, and I'll happily lend a non-judgemental ear.