The numbers of professional footballers accessing counselling services offered by the players' union increased by almost 50 per cent during 2019. Data released by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to the PA news agency showed that 653 of its members had used therapy over the past 12 months, compared to 438 in 2018. A 24-hour helpline is available for PFA members, which is funded by the PFA Charity and run by the Sporting Chance Clinic. The PFA said that, of the 653 people who had accessed its services last year - which included 25 women - half were ex-players and 48 per cent were current players. During 2018, a total of 438 PFA members accessed counselling services, of which 414 were male and 24 female.

Source: Sky sports January 04, 2020 14:37 UTC