Iwobi advises black men to open up over mental health issues after overcoming his own difficulties | Goal.com Cameroon

• Everton midfielder wants men to avoid feeling vulnerable
• The Nigerian international feels that seeking help and speaking up is key
• Iwobi has seen his fortunes change after his troubles at Arsenal

WHAT HAPPENED? Iwobi spoke about his struggles moving from Arsenal to Everton and then how not being able to qualify for the World Cup affected him.

The 26-year-old says he was able to overcome his difficulties by talking to a psychiatrist and teammates. He feels that other men, especially black men, shouldn’t be afraid of ‘being vulnerable’.

WHAT DID HE SAY? “Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable,” Iwobi said at an exhibition in London to raise awareness of mental health, as quoted by ITV.

“I feel like it’s something within men, especially black men, because society is positioned not to do that and if you do, you’re weak. It’s okay to be vulnerable, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“It’s just going through life and there’s so much trauma for young black people. [you learn] that if you just talk about it, you’d be able to navigate it.”

“There’s nothing wrong with telling people ‘I’m not right in the world.

“I’m just not in the right space.”

“Playing football is great because you’re not dealing with the issue at hand, it’s still there and you run away from it, but it’s still with you.”

THE LARGEST PHOTOGRAPH: Mental health has become an integral issue among footballers and many suffer in silence, but Iwobi insists that accepting and seeking help is the way to go.

Iwobi’s game has been vastly improved under Frank Lampard and he is now among the top names on the team sheet, having silenced his critics.

Lampard moved the Nigerian from the wing to a free role in midfield, where he has become a success, providing six assists and scoring one goal so far.

AND WHAT IS MORE? Iwobi has particularly credited Lampard for giving him the push that saw him turn his career around.

“Last season, I wasn’t playing as much as I would like and then in January I had the Africa Cup of Nations and I had that red card. [at the tournament] which essentially knocked us out and it was a tough time for me,” Iwobi added.

“I came back with a new manager in Frank Lampard and I’m grateful to him when he said ‘Why don’t you play games the way you train?’

“That pressure that was on my shoulders just left me. He gave me that confidence, so I had that freedom to enjoy my football. Since then, I’ve had that mindset where I go into the game without fear and express myself.”

WHATS NEXT? Iwobi joined his Everton teammates on their return to training on Thursday as they prepare for the return of the Premier League with the Toffees set to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

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