Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, who on Monday announced his retirement from the saddle as well as revealing a three-year battle with depression, is set to begin a “three to four week” stint in hospital as a step towards combating his depression.
Dr Adrian McGoldrick, the man to whom Fallon turned to announce the news and reasons for his retirement, said, “The next step in his treatment is that he'll be going to hospital, and after that we'll just be guided by the consultants and specialists. As yet, we haven't spoken to those and when we do it will all be kept private anyway.”
“What most people are unaware of is that in Ireland anxiety and depression is the second-most common illness seen by GPs every day,” McGoldrick added. “It is exceptionally common–only alcohol in Ireland is a bigger problem. When somebody high-profile admits to it and speaks out, then the more awareness it gets the better. It has an awful stigma surrounding it so when someone speaks out that is in the public eye that can only be a good thing. Kieren will have an initial treatment of three to four weeks and then we'll take it from there.”
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