Boca Juniors star Ramon Abila has called for those affected by depression to reach out to people close to them, opening up about his brother's suicide earlier this year.
The 31-year-old made the emotional rallying call after Boca's Copa Diego Armando Maradona match against Newell's Old Boys. The game featured several tributes to recently departed football icon Maradona and ended with a 2-0 victory for Abila's side.
Speaking after the encounter, the striker opened up about the suicide of his brother this year, and how difficult it has been for his family in the aftermath.
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He said: "I have been hurting for several months. The pandemic took my brother, I had the bad luck of my brother taking his life in my house because of a depression that he never told us about, that we never knew about, that happens to many people.
"So, I want to give a message to the people going through this situation, ask for help. Ask for help because people will definitely want to help you, and will have what's necessary to help, because you can't understand the sadness of this.
"The grief of my parents, my mother's birthday, Mother's Day, it has been a very sad in my house and I would like to help those people."
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Abila continued: "Argentina isn't going through an easy time. The confinement makes people feel bad, and without knowing we are left without great people, like him."
"To all the people in a similar situation, you will always have people who love you, and who will help you."
He added: "The way out is to speak, and to offer yourself to people who truly love you. This is the exit from such anguish.
He eventually finished by saying: "For us, it will be an infinite pain for the rest of our lives... So, help them. You will have many, many people there who will help you, and help you going forward through these difficult times so that no one else has to suffer like this."
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The emotional call has resonated with many on social media, and it is hoped that it could help encourage those who in a dark place to reach out to those close to them.
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