LEIGH GRIFFITHS
Depression
INTRODUCTION
Scotland and Celtic striker.
Took indefinite absence from football activities in December 2018.
Then Celtic manager Brandon Rodgers revealed in a press conference that Griffiths would be absent due to "confidential... ongoing issues...outside of football".
This vague announcement led to media speculation of gambling and drug problems.
While he returned to training in March 2019 he did not play again in the 2018-19 season.
Returned to pre-season training and first team action in July 2019.
His 'major depression' was only made public in an interview with the Daily Record in June 2019.
TIMELINE
From 30th April 2017 - 10th July 2017
12TH DECEMBER 2018
Pre-match press conference, Europa League fixture vs. FC Red Bull Salzburg
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers announced that Griffith's will be absent from upcoming games to deal with "confidential... ongoing issues". "He's had a number of issues outside of football". No time frame for return given.
13TH DECEMBER 2018
Griffiths' issues personal statement on official Celtic FC website. "I'm doing all I can to come back as soon as possible a better and stronger person."
5TH JANUARY 2019
Scottish Sun publishes story ('Picture Exclusive'). Headline: GRIFF'S BETTING SLIP: Troubled Celtic ace Leigh Griffiths snapped placing bets at Newcastle Races - despite football break to battle personal demons including gambling addiction
6TH JANUARY 2019
Leigh Griffiths posts Tweet responding to Scottish Sun story: 'I am off work due to my mental health state. NOT GAMBLING, DRUGS, or any other issue that has been written about me since December.'
17TH MARCH 2019
New Celtic manager Neil Lennon announces that he hopes Griffiths will return to first team action before the end of the season.
25TH MAY 2019
Season ends. Griffiths did not feature in the remainder of the 2018-19 season. Griffiths speaks to BBC Sport Scotland after the Scottish Cup Final on watching on from the sidelines: “It's difficult for me, but you need to give credit to the boys. It's not about me, it's about the 18 and everyone else involved – I'll be back for pre-season”.
29TH MAY 2019
Griffith's returns to pre-season training.
26TH JUNE 2019
First appearance in pre-season friendly against FC Pinkafeld. Griffith scores goal.
28TH JUNE 2019
Griffith's talks to Daily Record in interview about his 'major depression'.
27TH JULY 2019
Competitive return as a substitute against FC Sarajevo in Champions League qualifying.
MEDIA COVERAGE
12 December 2018
Brendan Rodger's pre-match press conference, Europa League fixture vs. FC Red Bull Salzburg
PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
Celtic: Leigh Griffiths faces spell out to deal with 'ongoing issues' (12 December 2018)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46539911
Transcript identifiers:
BR = Brendan Rodgers (then Celtic FC manager)
JT = Journalist
LEIGH Griffiths has sent a message of thanks to everyone who has offered him support following the announcement that he is taking some time out of football for a period of time due to a number of issues away from the game.
Leigh said: "I just wanted to thank everyone at the club and so many Celtic fans and other people who have sent me such kind and powerful messages of support.
"I thank you all sincerely and want to let you know I'm doing all I can to come back as soon as possible, a better and stronger person."
MEDIA RUMOURS AND CRITICISM
5 January 2019
MEDIA RUMOURS AND CRITICISM - GRIFFITH'S REPLY
6 January 2019
TIMELINE 2019
Griffith's did not play again in the 2018-19 season.
Returned to 2019-20 pre-season training.
SUMMARY
Griffith's case demonstrates the drawbacks and pitfalls involved in disclosing mental health issues in public. Because Celtic's original statement (via their website and Brendan Rodger's press conference) only made reference to 'on-going issues' the media almost instantly started to speculate about the real reasons and 'fill in the blanks'. This forced Griffith's to make further (rightly angry) statements on social media about the 'mental health' issues. However, it was over 6 months later that he disclosed his 'major depression'. There are two main lessons to learn.
1. Mental health diagnoses can take time to be established
2. Point 1 sits awkwardly with the news cycle in the digital age