A football referee who is rising through the ranks has opened up about his struggles with depression after the death of his much-loved mum.

Scott Henry said that things got so bleak that he even tried to take his own life.

But now the Cumberland FA-registered official has fought back and achieved a coveted promotion to level four, which allows him to referee at matches just below the National League North and South levels.

He has refereed at Northern League Division Two, and Wearside League, games.

Scott had had previously hit the heights and achieved level four promotion and was even selected to referee at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

However began to hit rock bottom when he failed to achieve another promotion in 2015 and he said goodbye to the football world for a time.

Scott said: “For the past 10 years I have suffered severe depression, separation traumas and have struggled to cope with the grief of losing my mum in 2010.

“It was the start of my difficulties, I didn’t want to accept it and it also has had an effect on how I engage with others.

“I found during this time that I would struggle to motivate myself, my mood would be erratic, and I was in total denial about my mental health and didn’t reach out for help.

“Things spiralled, the only positive distraction was refereeing, when I held the whistle or flag, I felt free from life’s pressures, it was my release.

“I had achieved promotion to level four before and I was selected to referee at the 2012 Paralympics in London and the Cerebral Palsy Intercontinental, Euros and World championships.

“I was also performing really well as a referee in my leagues.

“But I was in a dark place, alone, depressed and reckless, life hit me hard. I had struggled to cope, I thought nobody could help, I just wanted my mum back.

“During this low point I was detained under the mental health act and spent a short time in hospital to get some help that I very much needed.

“Sadly I had also attempted to take my own life, selfish, yes, but when you are that low at absolute rock bottom you think you are doing the best for everyone and you don’t think of the devastation you would leave behind.

“This was the turning point in my life, it’s the realisation that I had to face up to what life throws at you.

“In 2015 I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.”

For help with mental health issues visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines