Clarke Carlisle is a former professional footballer.
Clarke was an imposing defender, playing for teams including Leeds, QPR, Watford, Burnley and the England U21 squad.
As former Chairman of the PFA, Clarke was the first professional footballer to appear on the BBC’s Question Time.
Clarke retired from football in 2013. During a 17-year career, he played for nine clubs, across all four divisions.
He experienced the very highs of professional sport; however, for the majority of his career, Clarke suffered from CDD – Complex Depressive Disorder.
Combined with an undiagnosed illness and being emotionally illiterate, Clarke developed coping strategies which were destructive and compounded his depression.
While being hugely successful, he lived a duplicitous life of external lauding and internal loathing.
Following two suicide attempts, Clarke was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where he finally received an accurate diagnosis.
He has since set-up the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis. The foundation’s objective is to fund a purpose-built Dual Diagnosis treatment facility.
Clarke is a popular football pundit and broadcaster. He has presented ‘Football’s Suicide Secret’ and also the critically acclaimed BBC documentary “Is Football Racist?“.
His autobiography ‘You Don’t Know Me, But… A Footballer’s Life’ was published in 2014.
Clarke Carlisle Mental Health Speaker:
A powerful keynote speaker, Clarke Carlisle, joined by his wife Carrie Carlisle, delivers an honest and moving account of his battles with depression and mental health issues.
Clarke is open about his struggles with alcohol, depression, gambling and the pressure of playing top-flight football.
Furthermore, Clarke talks about diversity and culture change in a game traditionally associated with macho behaviour.
