Michael Keane says opening up to his family enabled him to overcome a period when the defender suffered poor mental health in his first season with Everton.

Centre-back Keane has spoken publicly about his experiences to support Campaign Against Living Miserably, a movement against suicide, which is the biggest killer of men younger than 45 in the UK.

Keane signed for Everton from Burnley in summer 2017 but suffered a badly gashed foot playing in a League Cup tie against Sunderland soon after arriving.

He confesses a reluctance to be seen as “throwing in the towel” at a time when Everton were struggling on the field convinced him to continue playing through the problem.

Keane eventually contracted an infection in his wound leading to a hospital stay.

Plagued by bottled-up feelings of “embarrassment and shame” over the team’s form and what he viewed as his own shortcomings, Keane shut himself indoors until heeding teammates’ advice to talk about his situation.

Watch Michael Keane speaking about the importance of monitoring mental health and his own experiences by clicking on the video at the top of this story or here.

“It is difficult sometimes because people don’t know what you might have been going through off the pitch,” said 27-year-old Keane.

“They judge you as if you are feeling 100 per cent in every game and that is not always the case.

“My teammates were brilliant with me.

“They said, ‘You need to speak to someone, to clear your head and reboot and refresh and go again’.

“I went to my family’s house.

“I got really upset and told them I was struggling.

“That was the last time I can remember crying.

“I could see how upset and devastated they were, it really affected them as well.

“They wanted to do everything they could to help me get myself feeling good again.

“It is good to get someone else’s perspective on things.

“Pick the person you trust most and open up to them.

“The first time you do it, you might be a bit worried what people might think or say.

“But when you see the reaction it is a big relief.

“If I ever get low or had those troubles again I would speak about it much sooner than I did the first time.”

Everton is raising funds towards a £1m target to build The People’s Place, a mental health facility close to Goodison Park.

It will provide an overarching service to anyone, regardless of age, gender, location or footballing loyalties – promoting positive mental health and delivering support related to suicide awareness and prevention.

Keane stresses the imperative of anyone experiencing poor mental health speaking to someone.

Equally, as a professional footballer who says his job is a “dream” and he “loves” defending with its associated characteristics of "strength, leadership and bravery", Keane embodies the truism that mental health does not discriminate.

“A lot of people struggle with mental health issues and it is good to get it off your chest,” said Keane.

“You have to stay strong, don’t lose hope and speak to someone.

“You are going to come through it.

“[My issues started when] I had eight stitches [to repair his foot injury] and the next morning was in agony.

“I couldn’t walk or put any weight on it.

“Things weren’t going great at the Club and I didn’t want to be seen as throwing in the towel because I had a little injury.

“I had an injection and carried on playing.

“I was on painkillers and didn’t feel myself when I was playing but I wanted to be out there.

“Looking back it was the wrong decision.

“I ended up in hospital. It was pretty scary and made me realise I had to take my time.

“I felt a bit embarrassed and ashamed.

“We were failing as a team and I didn’t want to be seen out, so I thought it was best to stay in.”

Keane was a mainstay of Everton’s team in the second half of 2017/18 and after starting 33 Premier League games last season has added 22 top-flight appearances this term.

Capped 10 times by England, Keane muscled his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton side before the season was suspended following the coronavirus outbreak.

His tools for maintaining good mental health include engaging with friends through video game FIFA and playing golf when “for three or four hours all I think about is my next shot”.

And Keane is conscious of his ability to employ his own experiences for the wider good.

“Millions of people around the world struggle – and it is important to be there for others when they are struggling,” added Keane.

“You have had that experience and know what it feels like and what you have to do to get back feeling like yourself.

“To come through it is a great feeling and and makes you feel stronger.

“I have a really good family around me and a really good group of friends.

“When I’ve had those moments, I’ve had them picking me up straight away.

“If people are struggling, stay strong, stay in there, speak to people and do little things that make you happy.

“Eventually you will come out the other side.”

Watch Michael Keane speaking about the importance of monitoring mental health and his own experiences by clicking on the video at the top of this story or here.

Keane's video was produced through a collaboration between EA SPORTS, The CALM Zone and COPA 90.