大象传媒

The Professional Footballers鈥� Association has likened retired footballers to veteran soldiers because of the way they struggle to cope with life when their playing careers end.

According to the PFA, there has been a 25% increase in footballers seeking help for mental health issues in the last year.

Former Wales, Gillingham and Aberdeen goalkeeper Jason Brown spoke to 5 live about his own issues.

He said he was able to deal with being booted in the face and having half an ear ripped off while he was a player but feels the hardest thing was 鈥渄ealing with my faults鈥� and 鈥渟pending time by myself鈥� once he retired.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sleeping, I wasn鈥檛 eating,鈥� he said. 鈥淓verything I have been doing since I was eight years of age 鈥� football - suddenly is gone,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow I get it why people take their lives. I do understand it.鈥�

This clip is originally from 5 live Breakfast on Thursday 3 November 2016.