Premier League star explains the benefits of therarpy as he wants to catalyse mental health discussion

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Martin Macdonald | Writer

Content writer covering football, formula 1 and movies

Dan Burn has urged those suffering from mental health problems to seek help, whether it be via therapy or by talking to a friend.

According to the official Samaritans site, male suicide rates in the United Kingdom remain the leading cause of death for men under 50, with males accounting for roughly 75% of all suicide deaths.

As part of Newcastle's 'One of Our Own' initiative, the club has placed 11 benches around the city with thought-provoking questions and also links to mental health help websites like Samaritans via QR codes.

Burn, a longtime campaigner for positive mental health, has emphasised the importance of speaking out but knows therapy isn't for everyone.

"I want to help my kids and the younger lads coming through because I know that I've had that experience," Burn told the BBC.

"There are things that are going to happen in their careers they have never had the experience of, so I've just tried to pass on little bits of wisdom.

"I'm always trying to say there's ways you can deal with mental health. Therapy worked quite well for me.

"That doesn't mean it works for everyone, but things like this, the walking football (initiative) - there's always something you can do to help each other and help yourself."

Though Burn has been an established Premier League player for years now, starring for Brighton before moving to hometown club Newcastle, there were moments of doubt in his career, having been released as a youngster by the Magpies and then again by Fulham when he was 16.

He remains "very proud" of his journey and his career reached its apex in 2025 when he earned a call-up to the England squad for the first time.

"I was shocked to learn the stat that it was men under 50 suicide is the biggest killer in the Northeast and it's sad that is the case," the Newcastle defender continued.

"I think it's something in football, it's something that went untapped for a long time, I think, like, sort of your mentality in football in general.

"Especially the mental health, I think it's just like taking care of your body. Like, if you'd hurt your knee, you'd go and see a doctor and also if you weren't well. But I feel like it was such a thing where we didn't speak about mental health and those sort of things.

"I would strongly advise anyone who is struggling or having these thoughts or is down a lot of the time, just to try and seek some sort of help. I understand that therapy is not for everyone. It can be expensive. There can be long waits for it.

"I would hope that, If you think someone's struggling to reach out and if you are struggling, I think it's important that you sort of share that load."

Even at 34, Burn is still performing at a high level and he retains a hope that he'll receive a call to join the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, having never played at the tournament before.

"I'm desperate to be there," he said. "It's not as if it's going to come around again.

"I'm 34, so I'd be very surprised if I was in the running for the next World Cup.

"Hopefully, I've done enough. We will find out in a couple of weeks."

Thomas Tuchel has until 31 May to submit his squad for the World Cup which takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico this June and July.