When hard man of football, former Celtic captain Neil Lennon, agreed to speak candidly about his experience of living with depression at the launch of a new Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) research report, we knew we’d be beating off the media with a stick; and we were! SRN is an affiliation of organisations and individuals who share an interest in efforts to promote recovery from mental illness. The new SRN research report, ‘Recovering Mental Health in Scotland’, drew on the experience of nearly 70 individuals across Scotland to identify a number of common themes, including the central role of hope, which allowed people to see that it was possible to recover a life beyond illness. Lennon’s presentation at the launch inspired exactly this kind of hope, giving an insight into how he lives a highly successful life while coping with mental ill-health. Rebecca and Lorraine managed the media frenzy on the day and even managed to get a mention in Matt Bendoris’ tongue in cheek final paragraph in the Sun: “Just before I leave, I catch a glimpse of the old Lennon turning on the charm with two PR girls. Neil hits the attractive brunettes with the corny line: “So are you two sisters, then? Fancy some lunch?” Funny that Rebecca and Lorraine don’t remember Neil saying that…
