Support as Aaron Lennon is detained under Mental Health Act

Everton winger Aaron Lennon has been inundated with messages of support after he was detained under the Mental Health Act over the weekend.

Former heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno, who has struggled with mental illness, was among those to wish the player well, reports the Daily Telegraph.

He posted a message of support on Twitter, stating "there is light at the end of tunnel".

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Footballer Clarke Carlisle – a former teammate of Lennon's at Leeds United, who launched his own charity, the Foundation for Dual Diagnosis in 2015 after a suicide bid – also wished the player well.

And Stan Collymore, another England international to have suffered mental health issues, tweeted:

Former England cricket captain Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff, who has battled depression, said that Lennon's situation is a "cruel example of how mental illness can effect [sic] anybody".

The England midfielder's former club, Tottenham Hotspur, have also offered their support, adds the Telegraph.

In a statement on Wednesday, Everton expressed thanks for the messages and confirmed Lennon "is receiving care and treatment for a stress-related illness".

"The club is supporting him through this and his family has appealed for privacy at this time," it added.

Lennon was detained on Sunday after police became concerned for his welfare, reports The Times.

"Greater Manchester police spoke to the England international for 20 minutes after the 30-year-old had been seen at the side of a road," The Times adds. "Everton said last night that the player was being treated for a stress-related illness."

Lennon, who joined Everton from Spurs in 2015, was not part of his team's squad for the game against Chelsea earlier on Sunday and has not played for the club since February.

The Times adds the player is "a popular member of the Everton dressing room" and the news "has left people at the club shocked".