Head and Hart
Joe Hart, 2023
Now in his third year at Celtic FC, Joe Hart is a safe pair of hands. After years of dealing with the pressures of top-flight football, we sat down with the club’s goalkeeper to hear how he looks after his mental wellbeing
At just 36, Joe Hart has achieved a lot more than most. Since beginning his career at Shrewsbury Town at the age of 15, he’s made world-class saves for the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham, while appearing at two world cups and two European championships as England’s number one.
These days, he’s best known for his presence between the sticks at Celtic FC, where Vitality is the Official Wellness Partner. Here, he’s continued adding to his assortment of winners medals since joining in 2021. During his time playing football, attitudes to mental health have shifted significantly, so Vitality Magazine asked for his take.
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I’m a professional footballer, but I’m a person. I’m a father, I’m a son, I’m a friend, I’m a husband: all really important roles
How do you look after your mental health?
Everyone’s different, but me, personally, I like to know that I’ve attempted everything. Small little things, like tasks hanging over my head. Invoices that need paying. Conversations that need to be had.
I like to write them down to make sure I’m on top of them. It’s impossible to be perfect at everything and tick every box, but I try not to leave anything hanging over the top of me.
How do you cope with the pressures of social media?
When it comes to social media and outside noise, I try to break it down. When I do something, it could be national news. But I’m aware that everyone’s world can be rocked – just some worlds are just broader in the number of countries they can reach.
I try to put it down to: if I was trying my best and I had good intentions, then I’m ok with the outcome – good or bad.
When things don’t go well, what do you do to block it out?
I don’t necessarily try to block it out. I think that’s a losing battle. But I’m pretty aware of who’s important and who I ultimately work for. Obviously, my family’s thoughts of me are very important. My employer’s thoughts of me are very important.
The supporters of my club and the people that I can affect, fans or people who look up to me; those are the people that are important. Their opinion matters. Ultimately, I’ve got my own standards and I know what I am supposed to be doing, and if that doesn’t work for some people then so be it.
Vitality data shows 99% of our members who use our Talking Therapies service do not require further treatment within a three-month period.
Our members with health insurance can access eight online or face-to-face Talking Therapies sessions per plan year, which include counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Life members that notify us of a mental health-related claim can also get access to Talking Therapies through the Recovery Benefit as part of Income Protection1.
You can access all of the information you need to know about your plan via Member Zone.
1 Terms and conditions apply
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The small changes we can make in our lives, or new thought processes give us more positive energy.
How are attitudes changing?
There are stigmas attached to it unfortunately, but there are two sides to it. And there’s a really powerful, strong, exciting, fun way of looking at it too. There are issues that people definitely have, but it’s also important to look at the positive side.
The small changes we can make in our lives, or new thought processes that give us more positive energy. Not necessarily because we’re feeling down – when we feel medium, neither up nor down – we can do things that mean we feel that little bit taller or stronger.
What about when someone is struggling?
I think it’s important we understand what we’re going through. Opening up, speaking to people. I’ve got young children and they are very honest with their feelings. They don’t necessarily know why. They just feel angry. We all feel that.
I can see a relief in their faces [when they share it]. It’s ok to feel angry, it’s ok to feel sad. They are just feelings. The quicker you can get them out, the quicker they can be flipped, and used in a more positive light. Hear more from Joe Hart in our new video series Changing The Game. Watch below.
Vitality data shows 99% of our members who use our Talking Therapies service do not require further treatment within a three-month period.
Our members with health insurance can access eight online or face-to-face Talking Therapies sessions per plan year, which include counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Life members that notify us of a mental health-related claim can also get access to Talking Therapies through the Recovery Benefit as part of Income Protection1.
You can access all of the information you need to know about your plan via Member Zone.
1 Terms and conditions apply
