Content material warning: This text accommodates dialogue round suicide and psychological well being.

Rhys Bennett comes bounding into the media room at Manchester United‘s Carrington coaching floor bristling with vitality, as you’d anticipate of a 22-year-old skilled footballer.

Tall and assured, lean and bodily match – aside from a knee damage he’s making an attempt to recuperate from so he can full a mortgage transfer to a League One membership subsequent month – defender Bennett provides a agency handshake and talks of his growing ability as a DJ.

Captain of United’s final FA Youth Cup-winning crew in 2022, Bennett has impressed throughout a mortgage stint at Fleetwood.

However he’s not speaking about that right now.

Bennett has severe points to debate, which stem from a heartbreaking message he posted on social media on 28 October.

“Damaged, devastated, simply do not need to consider it is actual,” he stated. “I like you on this life and the following.”

The message was to his father, David, who had taken his personal life.

Bennett desires to speak concerning the ache of these left behind, to encourage dialog and plead with these battling their psychological well being to decide on a distinct path to the one his dad took.

David, together with the remainder of his household, gave his time to assist Rhys and daughter Megan, who works in psychological well being care.

“He was very laborious working,” says Bennett. “You develop up, particularly as a son, and look as much as your father. You need to be like him.

“He gave me a lot alongside the years, together with my resilience and work ethic. The time him, my mum and household invested in me to fulfil my dream is one thing I will be perpetually grateful for. They had been at all times there for me, it doesn’t matter what.

“They do not realise how a lot they’re appreciated, and the way they have an effect on individuals. You need to have tens of millions extra laughs and cries and no matter it may be. I recognize every little thing he is ever accomplished for me.

“As a lot as it is a unhappy scenario and the final chapter of his life wasn’t an excellent one, you’ve got nonetheless received to rejoice his life and take into consideration the nice occasions.

“If I might have yet one more dialog with him it might be to say how grateful I’m of him as an individual, how a lot I like him and let him understand how a lot I actually recognize him. You do not know what you’ve got received till it is gone.”

Bennett’s purpose to speak to BBC Sport is obvious. He desires to assist. He realises it’s fairly attainable he won’t ever know if an interview has helped a particular particular person, however that’s not the purpose.

“I need to discuss concerning the significance of telling individuals how you’re feeling, how particular it’s to be dwelling, to be respiratory, to have the ability to eat, to sleep. You have to be pleased about what you’ve got received,” he says.

“Somebody may be feeling a sure means however hopefully this nudges individuals they usually may simply investigate cross-check an individual and ask are they OK.

“Do not query your self – simply do it. Let the individuals you are near know that you simply’re there for them.”