I don't agree with the comments made by James McClean but this post from his wife provides some context. That's important before a reflex response defending mental health awareness manifests as lashing out at someone else — McClean in this instance. The stigma around mental health really needs to be tackled. Progress has been made over the decades but nowhere near enough. Just look at the pitiful investment in mental health from Stormont. The North has more inter-generational trauma than many other places due to our violent history — not just the Troubles. It can be passed down through families; through learned behaviour. Derry, as the most deprived area on these islands, faces much higher levels of poor mental health because deprivation and poor mental health go hand-in-hand. Creggan, where McClean is from, has high levels of deprivation. James should be sensitive to those issues but that doesn't mean he deserves to be attacked. James, from what I've heard/read over the years, has done plenty of charitable work. Helped those in need. James made an ill-advised remark that feeds the very stigma about speaking out: that seeking help is a weakness. It is not weak. It can and does save lives. That stigma needs to be smashed. Those with high profiles can make a real difference. If he was to use this as an opportunity to educate himself more on these issues and to shine a light on the need for far greater investment in mental health services, then a negative could very quickly be turned into a positive.