Following the death of his brother back in 2012, Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon has urged people to look after their mental health.
Philly’s brother John sadly passed away six years ago following a battle with mental health issues, and an addiction to drugs.
The sports star believes people shouldn’t shy away from speaking about how they feel, and fully believes opening up to someone, could save a life.
Speaking to The Sun, Philly said, “John passed away in 2012 and it’s tough, but like everyone else who deals with bereavement, you find your own way around it through the support of family and loved ones.
“I’m trying to send a message out that it’s about talking.
“Around 80 per cent of people that have mental health issues as children go on to become drug addicts.
“But in this country, the majority of the good work being done only starts when people turn 18. So we’re waiting for them to become addicts instead of trying to stop them from getting there.
“People are using drugs as their way out instead of asking for help, and if we can change that we’ll have a much better society.”
The GAA star is proudly supporting Lyons Tea and Pieta House’s Time to Talk campaign.
