Newcastle United defender Dan Burn is opening up about his mental health journey, sharing how therapy helped him navigate the ups and downs of professional football. Speaking during Mental Health Awareness Week, the 34-year-old urged others struggling with their mental well-being to seek support.
Burn, who has become a fan favorite at St. James' Park, recently joined forces with Newcastle City Council to launch the "One of Our Own" initiative. Eleven specially designed benches have been placed around Newcastle, each featuring thought-provoking questions to encourage open conversations about mental health. QR codes on the benches connect people to 24/7 support services, including Samaritans helplines.
"Therapy worked quite well for me," Burn told BBC Look North. "That doesn't mean it works for everyone, but there's always something you can do to help each other and help yourself." The towering defender emphasized the importance of passing on wisdom to younger players, saying, "I want to help my kids and the younger lads coming through because I know I've had that experience. There are things that will happen in their careers they've never dealt with before."
Burn's journey to the top has been anything but straightforward. Released by Newcastle as a youngster and let go by Fulham in 2016, he rebuilt his career through determination and resilience. Now, he's "very proud" of his path, which culminated in his first England call-up last year. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon—co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19—Burn is hoping to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate's squad.
"I'm desperate to be there," he 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'll find out in a couple of weeks." National teams must submit their final squads by May 31.
Whether on the pitch or off it, Burn's message is clear: talking helps, and no one has to face their struggles alone.