Don't Depress Problems of Depression

Robert Enke passed away on 10 Nov 2009. He killed himself.

It feels awkward to even write something about his death but his story caught my attention. For some reasons, I could feel his pain which drove him to his death.


Robert Enke is not a stranger to soccer enthusiasts. I am not one of them. For that matter, I am a certified soccer idiot. When I learnt about his death over the radio, I was disturbed by his chosen course: he threw himself in front of a train near Hannover on that fateful day . The Germany goalkeeper may have given many spectacular saves on football pitches but not his life. He was 32.

That day, I did not dismiss the sports segment on the radio (I usually would). I wanted to understand more. I wanted to know why.

Robert Enke had an impressive sports career. He started playing soccer professionally in 1995 and in 1997, he began his international career. At the time of his death, he was one of the likely choices for the German goalkeeper post at the 2010 World Cup.


However, his personal life was far less lustrous.

He suffered from depression in early 2000s but it was known to very few. In the first place, it is not in the very nature of his job to reveal such illness. In 2007, he lost his 2-year old daughter who died of heart defect. He and his wife later adopted a daughter.

In the eyes of his fans, Enke was known as a person who fought setbacks to triumph in his sports. But to his wife, Teresa, Enke was a "terrified" person. According to her, Enke was prepared to accept medical treatment for his condition. However, he has feared that such revelation may lead to the end of his sports career and their adopted daughter may be taken away from a father who suffered from depression.

Robert Enke was not the only silent sufferer of depression.


Millions of people are suffering from psychological depression. It is medical condition caused by an imbalance of brain chemical and sufferers do not just 'get out of it' by exercising some self-control. While medical treatment is necessary, few go for it. Many of these 'silent sufferers' are in the same dilemma as Robert Enke.

Medical depression is a much misunderstood illness. It carries social stigma which relate to 'madness' and people shun talking about it in the public. The truth is, anyone can get depression just like how all of us are susceptible to catching a cold. It is not necessarily linked to our social status or up-bringing.


Unfortunately, many choose to suffer in silence and dragging their loved ones along in their suffering. Blame it on the general lack of awareness of the illness.

The first thing the sufferer must accept is that the illness can hit anyone and that it is treatable. Unfortunately, the sufferers usually are the ones who fail to recognize the symptoms or are in constant denial of their condition. See a short video for a simple explanation on 'depression'.



The sufferers of the problems are the most unlikely person to go for treatment. It is precisely this reason that we must all learn more about the condition and understand what really goes on inside them. It is useless to go on encouraging them to 'cheer up'. With a little knowledge, we can help to save lives.

This is not a medical blog. Get professional help.

See more resources:

Facts About Depression

Understanding Depression

Depression In Teens

Enke death: What are the roots of depression?

"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
~Dr. Loretta Scott~