EXCLUSIVE
Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam says seeing his little girl in the stands cheering him on is helping him to deal with the grief of losing his father.
Charlie Adam Snr, who played for Dundee United and St Johnstone, died aged 50 after taking his own life in Dundee in December 2012.
“When I walk out there and see my little girl and she’s clapping it’s hard to realise that he’s never going to meet who I call my princess and that’s hard to take,” he told Peter and Roughie’s Football Show.
“But that’s the things you live for. She and my little boy have obviously helped me get through that. They do miss their grandad.
[embedded content]“One day they will realise what happened and we will talk about it. I know he’s always looking down and that’s why when I go on the pitch everything I’ve done since that day is for him.”
Adam is now involved in helping with Scotland’s mental health charity SAMH and hopes to raise awareness about what the organisation can do to help people suffering from depression and other mental health problems.
“It’s hard and it still is now to talk about it. But I can and I will do because there’s people out there who need that help.
“It’s an incredible foundation. They help family members and give them support. It’s nice to be part of that and give something back.
“I’ve been through it. When I lost my Dad I never thought he was that type of person. I never thought he would do it – but he did.
“And you need to be a brave person to even think about it. And if I can speak about it and save somebody’s life then great.”
For the full interview with Charlie Adam you can see it here.
Click here to find out more about the SAMH website on dealing with mental health problems
