Newcastle United's towering defender Dan Burn is opening up about a topic that often stays behind closed doors in the high-pressure world of professional football: mental health. In a candid interview, the 34-year-old revealed that therapy has worked "quite well" for him, and he's urging anyone struggling to take that first step toward support.

Speaking at the launch of the 'One of Our Own' initiative—a collaboration between Newcastle United and Newcastle City Council for Mental Health Awareness Week—Burn emphasized the power of talking. The campaign features 11 specially designed public benches across Newcastle, each adorned with thought-provoking questions designed to spark open conversations about mental well-being. QR codes on the benches link directly to a network of support, including 24/7 helplines like Samaritans.

"I want to help my kids and the younger lads coming through because I know that I've had that experience," Burn told BBC Look North. "There are things that are going to happen in their careers they have never had the experience of, so I've just tried to pass on little bits of wisdom."

Burn's journey is one of resilience. Released by Newcastle as a youngster and later let go by Fulham in 2016, he has climbed back to the top, earning his first England call-up last year. Now, he's hoping to secure a spot in the squad for this summer's World Cup—co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

"I'm desperate to be there," Burn admitted. "It's not as if it's going to come around again. I'm 34, so I'd be very surprised if I was in the running for the next World Cup. Hopefully I've done enough. We will find out in a couple of weeks."

For Burn, the message is clear: no one has to face their struggles alone. "I'm always trying to say there's ways you can deal with mental health. Therapy worked quite well for me. That doesn't mean it works for everyone, but things like this, the walking football—there's always something you can do to help each other and help yourself."