Mental Health Awareness Week

Hanley: It's important to keep perspective

21 May 2020

Norwich City defender says that having a balanced mindset is just as important as physical preparation in the Premier League

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Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place from 18 to 24 May and we have spoken to a number of Premier League players about their emotional wellbeing.

Grant Hanley (NOR)

Playing in the Premier League for the first time since the 2011/12 season, Hanley is all too aware of the challenge of performing in the top flight.

The Norwich City defender says that keeping a balanced mindset and putting things into perspective is just as important as the physical preparation.

"Throughout your career and throughout the course of a season, throughout the course of a week, there's always going to be ups and downs," he says.

"You can't let yourself get too high after you've had a good game or a good week. At the same time, you can't let yourself get too low after you've had a disappointing result."

Showing resilience

That resilience was key for the 28-year-old at the start of the campaign after he scored an own goal in the seventh minute against Liverpool on the opening day.

"Obviously it wasn't ideal," he says. "At the time it was probably the worst timing possible for me to get a chance to play in the team because I was injured myself.

"But the time that I was injured I had a chance to get myself mentally prepared and was ready to realise that these are my goals, which are to play in the Premier League, play well and do myself justice."

The theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is kindness and Hanley's act of generosity has been to help his nan and her friends who live in a care home in Scotland.

"We donated some money so they could get little stuff like puzzles and jigsaws and also so they could get a couple iPads for calls, just so they can keep in touch and their family can see them at a time when they've not got the chance to."

Access the #StayWell hub

Fans can access a library of expert advice on how to look after their mental health in the Premier League's #StayWell hub.

It shares tips and guidance from experts, the clubs and players as well as from the National Health Service and national organisations working in these areas to help supporters stay strong and positive.

And the hub will continue to develop, offering fans expert guidance in other areas to help maintain their health in these challenging times.

See: #StayWell hub

Also in this series

Part 1: Stevens: Tough times help you appreciate the good ones
Part 2: Choudhury: Routine helps in maintaining a good mood
Part 3: Mustafi: We can overcome problems by helping each other
Part 5: Martin: Reaching out to others opened doors for me

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