Former Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle reveals a stranger saved him from suicide attempt as he opens up about latest battle with depression

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Clarke Carlisle has revealed a stranger talked him out of taking his own life.

The former Burnley defender disappeared from his home last month and an appeal to find him by his pregnant wife Carrie spread on social media. He was later found safe in Liverpool, but Carlisle revealed yesterday he had been ‘headstrong set on the most convenient way to kill myself’.

‘I was lurking in the shadows, trying to mind my own business,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘This car pulled up while I was sitting in a park and a guy came over and said, “I thought it was you. Your family is looking for you”.  

Former defender Clarke Carlisle has opened up on his latest struggle with depression

The ex-Burnley player went missing last month before he was located by police in Liverpool

'This guy’s friend had killed himself a few days earlier and he said, “I could not go by not checking (if it was you)”. I didn’t want his help, but this guy sat next to me and hugged me and cried on my shoulder, urging me to get in touch with my family.’

The man telephoned Carrie and gave Carlisle the phone. She said: ‘I heard his voice and it was the best moment of my life because I thought I’d never hear from him again, and this wonderful gentleman stayed with him.’

Carlisle has campaigned to raise awareness of mental health issues and launched the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis — a condition described as ‘mental health problems co-occurring with drug or alcohol abuse’. 

The former Burnley player said he was in Liverpool 'trying to find a responsible way to die'

Carrie added: ‘It’s horrifying to realise you’ve been engaging not with your husband but with an illness that manipulates the individual to the point where they feel they’re a burden. 

'We’re surrounded by love but what I didn’t know is that he couldn’t feel that love. It was like he was living in a glass box.’

The father of three spent three weeks in hospital and is recovering at home. In December 2014, he tried to take his own life by jumping into the path of a lorry.

 For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details.

Carlisle founded mental health charity the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis