William praises 'brave and inspirational' Dele Alli for opening up on his mental health
The Prince of Wales has sent his support to footballer Dele Alli, who has opened up about sexual abuse trauma he experienced as a young child.
Dele Alli dicusses child trauma in latest interview
Prince William has taken to Twitter to send his support to Everton's midfielder Dele Alli, who has opened up about his experience of sexual abuse trauma.
The royal branded the 27-year-old as "brave and inspirational" for opening up about his past traumas.
In his tweet, William wrote: "Brave and inspirational.
"Discussing mental health is not a sign of weakness. Let’s keep the conversation going. We’re all with you and we wish you the very best. W".
Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, Alli revealed that he was sexually abused at the age of six.
In the moving interview, Alli said: "I was waking up every day, winning the fight, going into training, smiling and showing that I was happy.
"But inside, I was definitely losing the battle."
After opening up, he revealed that he hopes to "help other people to know that they're not alone".
Alli emphasised that "it doesn't make you weak to get help".
William has been a public advocate for mental health awareness over the years, even forming the 'Heads Together' charity with the help of Princess Kate and Prince Harry in 2016.
In 2017, during a speech to the UK's Guild of Health writers, Prince William said that "we all" struggle with mental health issues sometimes.
He added: "Mental health was the great taboo. If you were anxious, it’s because you were weak. If you couldn’t cope with whatever life threw at you, it’s because you were failing.
"Successful, strong people don’t suffer like that, do they? But of course—we all do. It’s just that few of us speak about it."
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At the start of the year, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended The Open Door Charity in Birkenhead.
During their visit to the then-new hospital, the couple spent time with the charity's volunteers, mentors and staff.
They heard all about the progressive therapeutic models that had been developed in order to provide support to young adults who are facing any number of challenges.