Marcondes: Baton of Hope is 'a proud moment'

Emi Marcondes believes there is still a stigma around mental health

A Norwich City player says he is proud to support an initiative that is shining a light on mental health and suicide prevention.

Emi Marcondes carried the Baton of Hope through Carrow Road in Norwich - one of 20 locations on a UK tour to spark conversations and encourage people to seek support.

The baton tour, supported by Norwich Samaritans, set off from the Norfolk Showground, with a stop at the Plantation Gardens - finishing with a lap of the Canaries' pitch.

"To be able to put some attention on this is something that's really great for us as footballers - and for me personally - like many of you that are here today it is something in my family, around my friends," Marcondes said.

The Danish midfielder added: "I think because there's a stigma around this topic.

"To be able to be a part of this event really means a lot to me and to the whole football club, so a proud moment."

Marcondes said footballers were getting better at speaking about things in their personal lives and opening up on mental health

Marcondes joined Norwich City after the death of his father.

Previously speaking to BBC podcast, The Scrimmage, he said: "It didn't really affect my game because I didn't play and I took time to reflect on my life and also my dad's life and what I have been through."

He said he was able to process the grief better by talking about it, as opposed to when his mother died, when he was 17.

"At the time I was quiet .. and it became a negative thing further down the line with my performances and I became a bit more introverted," he revealed.

"Through talking about it and some therapy and mental coaches I learned to digest it and talk about it and use it as a motivation."

Speaking at a Samaritans event, Marcondes says he often reflects on his experiences through a journal.

"The most simple thing and basic thing is trying to be grateful for what I have and what I have come from and what I've achieved," he said.

"Having food on the table, a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, simple stuff keeps my feet on the ground and keeps me focused that it's going to be alright.

"There is a bit more of an open room, or speaking a bit more about these things and being just a bit more mindful about other things in players' lives and I think there's some players that do it more than others and I think it comes with age as well."