‘Make them laugh and smile’ - Young Norwich City player reveals depression struggle as he urges support for loved ones

Tom Scully of Norwich U23s during training at Hotel Klosterpforte, Harsewinkel, Germany. Photo: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Tom Scully, who signed a new contract with the Canaries in February, posted on Instagram hoping he could "help someone and make a difference".

The 19-year-old said: "A few weeks ago I got told I was depressed, which for me people will think 'how? Why?'. But this can happen to anyone.

"I've struggled to get out of bed, struggled to compete in my job, pushed my family and friends away.

"I'm not one to like being on my own or alone but recently it's all I've resorted to.

"I've felt lonely, ugly, embarrassed to be who I am."

He said he was lucky, and had people who had asked how he was every day.

"They did it because they care which at the time is hard to see," the midfielder said.

"I'm in the middle of getting back to the normal Tom everyone knows.

"My idea of this was to spread a message to everyone and anyone.

"If you're not having the best time, life's tough right now, you're not alone."

And he urged people to ask their loved ones if they were okay.

He said: "If you know someone who is going through a bad time, make them smile and laugh.

"Whoever you speak to on a daily basis, make sure you ask them if they are okay, and make sure they mean it."

Head of player care at NCFC, Clive Cook, said: "Together with the support of the PFA, we are committed to supporting players both on and off the pitch.

"We have worked very hard to create a safe and comfortable environment where players can come forward and ask for help and also feel that they can be open to speak about depression and mental health issues.

"We admire Tom's courage of using his personal struggles to inspire others to seek help."