Alex Iwobi advises Black men to open up over mental health issues

By Olu Dare

Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi has urged men to always open up and express even their vulnerable side.

The Everton star discussed his struggles moving from Arsenal to Everton and then how failing to qualify for the World Cup had impacted him.

The 26-year-old says he was able to get over his struggles by speaking to a psychiatrist and teammates. He feels other men, especially Black men, should not be afraid to ‘be vulnerable.’

“Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable,” said Iwobi at an exhibition in London to raise awareness around mental health as quoted by ITV.

“I feel like it is something within men, especially Black men, as society is positioned not do that and if you do you are weak. Be OK being vulnerable, there is nothing wrong with it.

“It is only going through life and there is so much trauma in young Black men [you learn] that if you only speak about, it you’d be able to navigate it.

“There is nothing wrong with telling people ‘I’m not all right in the world’. I’m just not in the right space’.

“Playing football is a big one because you are not dealing with the issue at hand, it is still there and you escape it but it is still with you.”

Iwobi’s game has improved tremendously under Frank Lampard and he is now among the first names on the team sheet, having silenced his critics.

The Nigerian was moved from the wing into a free midfield role by Lampard where he has become a success, providing six assists while scoring one goal so far.