Kevin McNaughton, an ex-Bolton, Wigan, Cardiff player, 39, says he is thankful after being found ‘safe and well’ by police.
The former EFL defender has expressed his gratitude for all the support shown following concerns over his safety over tweets his left on social media.
The 39-year-old, who spent the 2015/16 campaign with Latics, has been most recently been working as a youth coach at Dundee.
Mark Hudson, a former team-mate at Cardiff, tweeted on Thursday morning: “This isn’t what I want to be putting on here. Myself, friends and family are trying to get in contact with @KevMcnaughton.”
McNaughton’s last two tweets – “Let my kids know I’ll hover above I’ll always love them there to good for me xx” and “To the guy that stole my car, you stole a lot of my clothes in a tough time you stole my life it might mean nothing to you but it was all I had” – led to efforts to find him as quickly as possible.
Thankfully, Hudson then provided a happy update.
“Just heard, Kev has been found by the police safe and well,” he tweeted. “I will update but please respect his friends and family. Thank you everyone.”
McNaughton has since taken to social media to thank everyone who contributed to his safe return.
“Just a quick message to say thank you for the support over the last few days from everyone,” he tweeted along with a blue heart and a thumbs up emoji. “Can’t really put into words how much it has meant.”
Just a quick message to say thank you for the support over the last few days from everyone , can’t really put into words how much it has meant 💙👍
— Kevin McNaughton (@KevMcnaughton) January 30, 2022
McNaughton, was signed for the Latics in the summer of 2016, and his then manager Gary Caldwell had passed on his own best wishes, in the hope of good news.
“I just hope Kevin’s okay,” he said. “He’s such a great guy, and so popular among his friends and family.
“So many players find it difficult to adapt after their careers end, and fingers crossed he gets in touch and given the help he needs.”
The Bluebirds, which is where he spent much of his career, tweeted: “Show this man your love and support today. Super @KevMcnaughton #CityAsOne”
McNaughton also played for the likes of Aberdeen, Bolton, Inverness, Forfar and Kirriemuir, and also earned himself four caps for Scotland.
Twitter users reacted as the ex-Bolton, Wigan, Cardiff player, 39, is found ‘safe’ by police after his worrying tweets…
@dylanthomas91: As a swans fans, at times like these rivalries are out to the side. So glad to see you tweeting and even better to know you’re good. Onwards and upwards Kev
@NigelBlues: Least we could do for all you’ve given us over the years. Take care, look after yourself, see you down the City sometime soon. You’re forever welcome here.
@NNorms76: Glad to hear you’re feeling a little better super Kev! You’re well loved in this part of the world and we want to see you down the CCS as often as you can when you’re up for it.
@MillieWiller: We’ve got your back Kev.
@RacingDavies: I know a million other people have said if you wanna chat hit them up etc but I’ll say it again…. I’ve fought some nasty battles with my mental health and if you need a chat hit me up kev. #superkev
@WezTucker: Glad u safe and sound legend. Stay strong & even though u don’t know me personally, if u ever want a chat, a bev or just a change of scenery, I’m in Llandough Penarth. Always got time for a bluebird, as have probably thousands of people. All best @KevMcnaughton
@cheapmansvest: Don’t mind telling you I shed more than a few tears at Kev’s tweet to his kids, it’s raw and it’s real and you can’t help but put yourself in his shoes, and theirs. Wishing you all the strength you need @KevMcnaughton and then some more
@samwebb27: You are not alone. That win was for you today Super Kev
Hope you’re okay mate. If you ever want a chat I’m here for you pal.
— DavidMeyler (@DavidMeyler) January 31, 2022
You’ve got the whole of Cardiff City behind you mate! Welcome back whenever pic.twitter.com/jcOH54s4dn
— Ben Thomas (@Benfthomas_10) January 30, 2022
Glad your ok Kev pal, keep fighting pal I’ve not been 100% but you have family and friends who love dearly 🙌🏻❤️ every need a chat I’m here pal ❤️
— Paddy Kenny (@paddykenny17) January 31, 2022
@KevinKyle1981: Kev don’t really know your circumstances but been through many a hard time myself, I’m glad you’re feeling better and if you ever want a chat my DMs are always open, I wish you well bud.
@AgentScotland: That tweet a few days ago was real, raw and heartbreaking but it might just be one of the best things you’ve done, the out-pouring of love and concern for you was genuine, you mean so much to so many, if you ever need to talk you now know you have thousands who’ll want to listen
@veetee39: You have so many people who love you and we will pick you up when you need it. Please ask for help whenever you need. Sending you my love and thoughts across the miles
@Hossack1603: Stay strong Kevin,watched you against my team Celtic and for Scotland you have achieved so much and you can add more memories with your family in the future
@DensParkChoir: There is always light at the end of the tunnel Kev, hope you’re spirits are lifted ASAP
Love it Kev, good times ahead my mate pic.twitter.com/oWSrDgqTFG
— David Wheater (@BigWheatz31) January 30, 2022
Hope your ok Kev. Day at a time ma man! Surround yourself with good people. Good on you for reaching out for help 👍
— Robert snodgrass (@robsnodgrass7) January 31, 2022
@garysjackson: Stay strong Kev. Once a Wanderer always a Wanderer #bwfc
@GrandpaGarner: You’ve got the whole of football behind you mate.
@BlairCremin: Take care and look after yourself – there is a whole community of people who want to help and support you if you would like it. Be kind to yourself @KevMcnaughton.
@saldixie: You’re a star, Kev. I hope you’re feeling better. You’ll always be a Bluebird and you’ll always be loved in Cardiff.
@mlgall: Great to hear from you Kev. Stay safe man. I’m an Aberdonian living in Cardiff and you are a legend in both cities
@greyprawn: You will always be welcome here in Cardiff Super Kev and you will always be one of us and loved by all Bluebirds. Keep safe and stay strong. Just remember all the great times and years you had with us.
Mental health and depression helplines
NHS – Mental Health
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Anxiety, panic attacks & trauma
This leaflet is for anyone who is, or has been depressed. We hope it will also be helpful for friends and relatives. It describes what depression feels like, some of the help that is available, how you can help yourself and how to help someone else who is depressed. It also mentions some of the things we don’t know about depression. At the end of the leaflet there is a list of other places where you can get further information.
The Mental Health Foundation
Coronavirus – How to look after your mental health
We believe it is important to involve the people who use mental health services and their carers in our work. We want to support them to have their say on the way that services are run, as well as to use their experiences to inform our thinking.
RETHINK Helpline: 0300 5000 927 www.rethink.org
Working together to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.
Time to Change
Time to Change is England’s most ambitious programme to end discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems. Our vision is to make lives better for everyone by ending mental health discrimination and to inspire people to work together to end the discrimination surrounding mental health.
MindMindInfoline: 0300 123 3393
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The MindinfoLine offers thousands of callers confidential help on a range of mental health issues. Mind helps people take control of their mental health. We do this by providing high-quality information and advice, and campaigning to promote and protect good mental health for everyone. They also provide a special legal service to the public, lawyers and mental health workers.
Breathing Space (Scotland)
Helpline: 0800 83 85 87
Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can overwhelm us. It helps to get some Breathing Space. Pick up the phone – we’re here to listen. We are a free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)
Information Service: 0141 530 1000
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Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others. These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.
Support in Mind Scotland
Information: 0300 323 1545
www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk
Our aim is to improve the quality of life for anyone whose mental health problems or mental illness has a serious impact on their life and on the lives of others, including family members, friends and supporters. We believe anyone affected by mental health issues deserves compassionate and expert support.
Hub of Hope
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place. If you are here then it is likely that you, or someone you care about, is experiencing mental and emotional distress that – right now – feels unbearable and overwhelming. We want to ensure that all of us – no matter what we are experiencing, or how we see and understand our experiences – feel welcome on the Hub of Hope.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is a mind-body approach to well-being that can help you change the way you think about experiences and reduce stress and anxiety. Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing and yoga. It helps us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, we’re better able to manage them. Practising mindfulness can give people more insight into their emotions, boost their attention and concentration and improve relationships. It’s proven to help with stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behaviours, and can even have a positive effect on physical problems like hypertension, heart disease and chronic pain.
Bi-Polar UK
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Or email support@sane.org.uk and you will be contacted as soon as possiblewww.sane.org.uk
SANEline is a national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems.
NHS INFORM
The site is designed to offer information, advice to those experiencing troublesome thoughts, feelings and actions. From the site you are able to print off various self-help guides covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, panic and sleep problems.
Shout
Text Shout to 85258
Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
ChildLine
Helpline: 0800 11 11
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine in these ways: You can phone on 0800 1111, send us an email, have a 1-2-1 chat with us, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards. You can contact ChildLine about anything – no problem is too big or too small. If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine.
Young MindsHelpline: 0808 802 5544www.youngminds.org.uk
What to do if you’re anxious about Coronavirus
Talking to your child about coronavirusParents’ Information Service gives advice to parents or carers who may be concerned about the mental health or emotional well being of a child or young person.
Kooth.com
Kooth.com is an online counselling service and online mental health community that provides vulnerable young people, between the ages of 11 and 25, with advice and support for emotional or mental health problems. Kooth.com offers users a free, confidential, safe and anonymous way to access help.
The Mix
Helpline: 0808 808 4994
Life’s tough, we know that. It can throw a lot your way and make it hard to know what the hell to do with it all. So, welcome to The Mix. Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome. We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs. We’re a free and confidential multi-channel service. That means that you choose how you access our support, without the worry of anyone else finding out. Whether it be through our articles and video content online or our phone, email, peer to peer and counselling services – we put the control in your hands. You can even volunteer with us too.
PapyrusHOPELINEUK – 0800 068 4141www.papyrus-uk.org
Worried about someone…Support for anyone under 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person may be experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Students Against Depressionwww.studentdepression.org Developed in consultation with students who have been affected by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Many of their stories and suggestions are included on the site.
Campaign Against Living MiserablyHelpline: 0800 58 58 58www.thecalmzone.net The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) works to prevent male suicide and offers support services for any man who is struggling or in crisis. CALM’s helpline 0800 58 58 58 and web-chat are for men in the UK who need to talk or find information and support. The services are open 5pm–midnight daily and are free, anonymous and confidential. For access or to find more information visit thecalmzone.net
For support call: 0300 1020 505 (midday to midnight daily)
We support everyone affected by suicide, whether they be bereaved, having thoughts of suicide, or have attempted suicide. Everyone is vulnerable, especially right now when the world as we know it has changed, bringing mental health fragilities to those who have never before experienced them and an escalation of poor mental health for vulnerable people who were already struggling. The shame, stigma and silence that surrounds not just suicide, but mental health generally, is something we are passionate about changing. No one should feel judged. No one should feel awkward. No one should feel isolated, we will continue to support everyone and anyone who needs our help.
Depression UK
The mission of Depression UK is to promote mutual support between individuals affected by or at risk from depression, with the aim of encouraging self help, recovery and personal growth. We believe our members are helped when they share their problems with fellow sufferers, because they understand, better than any non-depressed professional or carer can ever do, what it really feels like to suffer from depression. These members can then share their thoughts, feelings, hopes, disappointments and successes, and in so doing offer mutual support to each other.
OvercomeDepression.co.uk www.overcomedepression.co.uk
Offers a unique and clear reference point on depression help and advice from experts in the field.
Samaritans Tel: 116 123 (Free)
www.samaritans.org Whatever you’re going through, we’re here to help 24 hours a day. We won’t judge you and we won’t share what you tell us with anyone else. Get in touch by telephone, email, letter andface to face in the UK andIreland. Visit befrienders.org if you live outside the UK or Ireland.
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