Season 2020-21 Opinion Talking Points
Our Speedo Mick

Just watched a heartbreaking newsreel shown this morning by BBC's Breakfast on Speedo Mick and his difficulties during lockdown.
He said, just because someone is smiling, joking and saying everything is fine doesn't mean they are. He suggested he was having suicidal thoughts until his brother stepped in. His brother knew something wasn't right.
It upset me that this ordinary Evertonian, who had achieved extraordinary feats, achieved a place in the national heart and has still so much to offer, was in this awful place. My heart goes out to him.
But it's not just Mick. It's a reminder that, in these days, unprecedented in our lifetime, we need to watch out for each other even if we are saying everything is fine.
Take care guys, take care Mick.
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Reader Comments (9)
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2 Posted 04/05/2021 at 20:59:15
3 Posted 04/05/2021 at 21:04:31
Experiences in life are always with us. Things we see, do and experience never go away. Decisions we make that impact other people we are responsible for will live with us. That feeling of responsibility never ever goes away even though you may not have done things differently in the same situation if presented again. You have to live with that.
It's so important that this type of thing is discussed and highlighted to allow people to live and cope with decisions. So important that people like Mick know they don't have to bottle it up and put a brave face on.
Well done Mick for speaking out. Well done to his brother for spotting it and stepping in. Look out for each other people. Sorry to go deep; subject close to the heart.
4 Posted 04/05/2021 at 21:05:12
https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/
All the best in your fight mate.
You have every single Evertonian in your corner.
5 Posted 04/05/2021 at 21:13:42
Mick, you're not alone, every Evertonian is with you.
6 Posted 04/05/2021 at 21:15:08
There should be no stigma about suffering from this illness, many people from the top scale of life to the bottom have been persecuted, mentally, from this demoralising illness, which makes life a constant misery for them.
7 Posted 04/05/2021 at 21:22:07
8 Posted 04/05/2021 at 21:42:09
Best wishes to Speedo Mick and every one, as we are all flesh and blood and none of us are invincible.
Let's stick together and ride our common battles and share personal battles together, and with some one.
9 Posted 10/05/2021 at 15:30:39
My daughter is a long-term sufferer, although I'm not sure there's any other kind. Even when things appear to be on the up, the condition seems to be merely dormant and awaiting the right circumstances to strike again. It's quite evil, imo.
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1 Posted 04/05/2021 at 20:53:05
People often used to say to me " what have you got to be depressed about?" It has nothing to do with your situation richness, or losing your job, being skint, or whatever, although certain issues can trigger it off. It can hit you at any time and like Mick said, you often put on a brave face and suffer in silence, as it is a difficult thing to admit to, and people who don't understand, would probably dismiss it anyway!
Thanks for highlighting it, as with most diseases the more people are educated as to recognising and understanding it the better!