Ex-professional footballer Clarke Carlisle to speak at conference on mental health

Wednesday 27 May 2015

A former professional footballer who has fought a very public battle with depression will be the keynote speaker at a major conference on mental health later this year.

Clarke Carlisle, a defender who played for a number of top-flight clubs and was chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association, will address the Jersey Employment Trust’s Able to Work Conference on Thursday 8 October. The Jersey Employment Trust is a charitable trust whose primary role is to assist people with a disability and/or long-term health condition to find and sustain open employment.

The focus of the biennial conference, which is being held in partnership with MIND Jersey and sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, will be ‘Managing Wellbeing and Mental Health in the Workplace’. It will take place at the Hotel de France.

Mental health is a subject that Mr Carlisle (35) can speak about from his own near-tragic experience. Last December, he was hit by a truck on a major A-road in North Yorkshire and airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In February this year he admitted that he had been trying to kill himself. He continues to battle with mental illness and recently told the media that the scars he still bears from his suicide attempt are a ‘constant reminder’ of his good fortune in surviving.

The aim of the Jersey Employment Trust’s Able to Work Conference is to help employers promote a positive approach to mental health in the workplace and offer advice on creating a healthy work environment. Other speakers at the half-day conference include the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, who will explain how the States are promoting wellbeing, and an Islander who has battled and triumphed over a mental health condition.

Stephen Platt, Chairman of the JET Board of Trustees, said: “All employers know the importance of retaining high quality staff but keeping valued and well-trained employees is often easier said than done. But one way of forming a loyal group of motivated and productive staff is to create a healthy workplace and take the right approach to mental health. Mental illness is an increasing concern in Jersey so I suspect this conference will be hugely relevant to employers, who may be unsure about what they can or should do.”

Mr Carlisle said: “I still bear the scars from my battle with mental health. I kept my depression a secret from clubs and teammates for almost two decades and it almost cost me my life. But my suicide attempt in December was a turning point and really opened my eyes. I now feel blessed to be alive and I want to do all I can to raise awareness of the importance of mental health - not only to break down the stigma and taboos but also to make sure people know where they can find support. I’m very much looking forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences at the Jersey Employment Trust’s conference later this year.”

James Le Feuvre, Executive Director of Mind Jersey, said: “We are delighted to be working with JET on this initiative. It chimes with two of our key priorities: campaigning to raise awareness and improve understanding about mental health – while tackling stigma – and also to focus on the importance of promoting good mental health, particularly in the workplace.”

Gail McCourt, Head of Regional Market Strategy and Development from conference sponsor RBC Wealth Management said: “Royal Bank of Canada is committed to raising the public awareness and understanding of mental health issues. We are delighted to be able to extend our close relationship with JET and with MIND Jersey through our sponsorship of this conference. As one of Jersey’s largest employers, we are looking forward to sharing our experiences and hearing from others about supporting employees’ wellbeing in the workplace.”