Abstract

Growing up, Ruth was on track for an ideal life – she had the grades, friends, great sporting potential and strong bond with her sister. However, when she was 14, her perfect life began to crack. After suffering an injury, Ruth began seeking control in other areas of her life to combat the growing feelings of depression. Having recovered physically, but not mentally, she eventually quit the game she loved so much.

Having been let down repeatedly by the authorities – including during a stay in a mental health hospital – she sought support and understanding from authority figures and role models. And as she battled through the next few years, Ruth rediscovered football as a way to keep grounded during the most chaotic times in her life.

Now an active campaigner for mental health awareness and training, especially in sport, Ruth is a proud ambassador and advisor for The Shaw Mind Foundation and Mental Health FA. In Within the White Lines, she explains how the beautiful game of football helped pull her back from the brink of suicide. 

Trigger are proud to announce Theinspirationalseries partner to their innovative Pullingthetrigger range. Theinspirationalseries promotes the idea that mental illness should be talked about freely and without fear. Find out more at www.triggerpublishing.com

"Ruth has huge determination and drive, along with a pertinacious approach to changing the attitudes surrounding mental illness. I learnt a lot from meeting her." - Alan Myers, Broadcaster at Sky Sports News

"Ruth’s story is from her guts and heart. I truly believe there’s millions of people who could relate to her powerful journey. She is exceptionally gifted." - Drewe Broughton, Ex-professional Footballer and Performance Coach

"Ruth Fox has opened my eyes and made me think about the way we should be viewing mental health and about the importance of being open, the need to talk and be honest." - Chris Sutton BT Sport & BBC Sport Pundit and Commentator, Ex-professional Footballer

"This is a brilliant narrative of what it’s really like to battle depression and anxiety and come out the other end. A must read for anyone who’s interested in mental health." - Gary Bloom, Clinical Psychotherapist and Broadcaster

"Ruth is an inspiration, who has decided at an incredibly young age, to help others while helping herself. She's going to help a lot of people with this book. Honest, insightful, and candid." - Stan Collymore, former footballer

"This book gives insight to a young life torn between wanting to be happy and successful and the “demons” that can affect anyone’s wellbeing. Ruth's honesty is fresh, through-provoking and inspiring." - Dame Kelly Holmes

"Ruth has written an honest and heart rendering account of her battle with depression that all of us in football need to read about and learn from." - Dan Abrahams, Sport Psychologist 

"This book is an inspiration written by an inspirational lady." - Neville Southall, former footballer