Danny Rose's willingness to open up about this depression ahead of representing his country at the World Cup deserves an enormous amount of respect.
For any professional footballer, donning the England shirt at a major tournament is a dream come true.
In this instance, it's not only a dream but also sanctuary of relief. England duty has become a salvation for the 27-year-old Yorkshireman.
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In an extremely candid and honest interview, Rose reveals he's been diagnosed with depression.
The Spurs left-back explains how last season was a struggle following injury which prevented a consistent string of games. A lengthy period on the sideline coupled with family tragedy triggered his illness.
"It's no secret that I've been through a testing time at Tottenham this season. It led to me seeing a psychologist and I was diagnosed with depression, which nobody knows about," Rose said.
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"I haven't told my mum or my dad, and they are probably going to be really angry reading this, but I've kept it to myself until now.
"My uncle killed himself in the middle of my rehab, and that triggered the depression as well."
Matters were made even worse after a series of events which include a vile racist attack on his mother at home in Doncaster, not to mention eventually requiring knee surgery despite initial advise claiming he didn't need to go under the knife.
"Back home in August my mum was racially abused in Doncaster. She was very angry and upset about it, and then someone came to the house and nearly shot my brother in the face - a gun was fired at my house.
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"England has been my salvation and I can't thank the manager and the medical staff enough. It was really hard, and being referred to a doctor and psychologist by the Spurs club doctor helped me massively to cope.
"I was getting very angry, very easily. I didn't want to go into football, I didn't want to do my rehab.
"It all stemmed from my injury when I was advised I didn't need an operation. I don't know how many tablets I took to try and get fit for Tottenham, how many injections I took trying to get fit for Tottenham. I had cortisone and platelet-rich plasma injections trying to be fit for my club.
"I had to have an operation four months down the line - after all that football I missed, when the team was flying and I was playing really well, the team were playing really well."
England players will be joined by their loved ones at the World Cup this summer. However, Rose has told his family he doesn't want them in Russia due to fears over their safety.
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A sad reality with the lack of punishment towards racism in football. FIFA's lack of action and ineffectual sanctions has stopped Rose from taking his father who was distraught.
"I'm not saying I've had worse treatment than anybody else, but it was difficult and that was the start of it.
"If I'm racially abused out there, nothing is going to change. It shouldn't be like that but it is.
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"I've told my family I don't want them going out there because of racism and anything else that may happen."
Recalling the heartbreaking conversation with his father: "My dad's really upset. I could hear it in his voice. He said he may never get a chance again to come and watch me in a World Cup.
"That was emotional, hearing that. It's really sad. It's just how it is. Somehow Russia got the World Cup and we have to get on with it."
Rose's sincere words and brave battle with depression will send shock waves through the football community. An England international who plies his trade in one of the most popular leagues admitting he's fighting with mental demons is a concerning issue which needs to be addressed.
A high profile figure in the shape of a Premier League footballer relaying these powerful words in the public realm is a mark of an individual who is truly courageous, and his selfless interview should continue to reduce the stigma attached to mental health, while helping so many others.
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Topics: More Than A Game, Football News, Danny Rose, Football, England, World Cup