Hector Bellerin, the former Arsenal star, has called for more support in football to tackle mental health issues. He shared his own struggles with mental health during his time at Arsenal, especially after he missed most of 2019 due to a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament and subsequent hamstring problems. This led him to start drinking alcohol.

Bellerin managed to get back on track and even helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in August 2020. He left Arsenal on loan in January 2022 and then made a permanent move to Barcelona in the summer, ending his 11-year stay in north London.

Now playing for Real Betis for the second time, Bellerin is enjoying his football again. However, he knows that many other players are struggling. According to a study from the PFA, one in 10 players will experience depression or anxiety each year, and more and more current and former players are seeking help.

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In an interview with Mirror Football, Bellerin passionately urged authorities to do more to address mental health issues in football. "For me, we are over the time of raising awareness," said the Spain international. "It's about time to do something.

"Here in Spain, we've had an old team-mate of mine, Victor Camarasa, who is playing in the second division, take time away from the game because of his mental health. It's set a precedent in Spain, it's happening in basketball, gymnastics and I think the life we live is very difficult.

"People excuse it with the money we make... We travel a lot, we play a lot, we get battered every game, I come home with knocks in my legs, I've had surgery on my legs, I've had concussions, I have had everything.

"People say: 'Yeah you earn a lot of money'. But that doesn't mean that's hard, no? Family life is difficult as a footballer, the pressure is difficult as a footballer, no one wants to talk about this because we earn a lot of money. They think that it's an excuse for us to be treated like anything but humans sometimes. I'm always going to be the one being on the side of the human," Bellerin added.

"From a very young age we have experienced this, so when we get to a certain age it's going to be hard for us to cope, it's normal. Every year there are more games, more competitions, more pressure, players are better and there's more work we need to do and less time for us to take care of ourselves, our actions, our families, our social lives, or to even have a hobby. What is a hobby for a footballer? That is almost impossible."

He added: "Mental health is something that is important and it starts by treating us as humans, no matter how much we make. It's time to bring these conversations into the dressing room and to make it something clubs are obliged to have, such as psychologists, hours to work with our mental health and that will help our football.

"Every footballer knows how much your mind and your head is for your performance, so we should try and create an atmosphere because the pressure is part of mental health for us footballers."

Bellerin, who played 239 times for Arsenal, might play for Betis in their next game against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa Conference League. Betis are sixth in La Liga, eight points behind Athletic Bilbao in fifth place. Bellerin has been in the starting team for their last four games, including their recent victory at Cadiz.