We want to hear what men think about James McClean's comments on therapy and 'weakness'

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The former Ireland international said that as a man, he views speaking to a psychologist “as a weakness”.

THERE HAS BEEN a lot of reaction to comments made by Irish footballer James McClean about therapy and mental health. 

In an interview with the Sunday Independent while promoting his new autobiography ‘The Walls’, the former Republic of Ireland international was asked if he had ever tried therapy.

“I was back at my [parents’] house a week ago and I heard a voice upstairs, ‘Who the fuck is that?’ And it was my brother on a call to the club psychologist, having a lovely chat,” he said.

“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.”

McClean’s club Derry City immediately distanced themselves from his comments, saying it places “the highest priority” on the mental health and wellbeing of its players and staff and encourages anyone facing challenges to speak openly and seek support. 

After backlash on social media, McClean’s wife Erin also issued a statement. She said her husband had “opened himself up to difficult conversations” while working on his book and she had been strongly encouraging him to speak to someone.

“He is struggling at the moment, and has been for some time. He may not agree with me sharing that, but I’ve told him that I need to explain this.”

Despite increasing awareness, men in Ireland are still less likely to speak about mental health difficulties with friends or family or to seek out professional supports. Eight in ten people who die by suicide in Ireland are men, and studies have shown that stigma remains a significant barrier for men to seek help.

With this in mind, we want to hear from men about what they think about McClean’s comments.

• Do you agree/disagree that a man going to therapy and speaking about his feelings would make him weak, and why?
• Have you ever or are you currently going to therapy? How have you found that experience?
• Have you ever thought about or wanted to speak to a therapist but decided against it, and why? 
• As a man, do you feel there is still a stigma around male mental health?

Please get in touch by emailing answers@thejournal.ie. Tell us your name, age and county – or let us know if you would like to remain anonymous – and keep your response to a maximum of three paragraphs.

Submissions will be used in an article and may be edited for length or clarity.