Teresa Enke starts depression hotline

BERLIN - Agence France-Presse

Nov. 10 marks the third anniversary of Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke’s suicide after battling depression for years and his widow has launched a hotline for athletes suffering from similar problems.

Hanover 96 star Enke was Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper when he took his life on November 10 2009, aged 32.

Set up in his memory, The Robert Enke Foundation, with his widow Teresa as chairwoman, supports projects to educate the public about depression and heart disease in children.

Three years on from his death, there is evidence Enke’s suicide has softened attitudes in German football towards psychological illnesses.

German defender Dennis Aogo admitted suffering from depression, while Ralph Rangnick stepped down as Schalke coach after suffering from burn-out.

More than a dozen players have sought help for depression.

“I can never take something positive from his death,” she told German daily Bild having organized an event via Facebook to mark the anniversary.

“I can only try and transform the negatives into positives. His chance means a chance to help others,” she added.

“I won’t get over his death, I just learn to live with it.”