Snooker player Mark Allen has revealed he recently discharged himself from a mental health clinic in order to compete in the Northern Ireland Open, describing a difficult period marked by significant emotional challenges. The Northern Irish professional, 40, known by his nickname "The Pistol," spoke candidly about his struggles and uncertainty regarding his future in the sport.

Allen, a former world number one and winner of 12 ranking titles, returned to competitive play on Tuesday after a 171-day absence, losing 4-2 to fellow Northern Irishman Jordan Brown in the opening round of the tournament held in Belfast. This was his first match since his semi-final exit at the World Snooker Championship in May, marking his third time reaching the penultimate stage of that event.

In an emotional interview following the defeat, Allen reflected on his ongoing mental health battle, stating that he had been "in a bad place" and at times struggling to see a future in snooker or beyond. He attributed the decision to leave the clinic and attempt competing again to his family, particularly his daughter, and to the support of fans who have followed his 21-year career.

“I owed that to my family, in particular my daughter, to see me play for what could be the last time,” Allen shared on social media. He acknowledged the role that mental health professionals and fellow patients played during his time in treatment, describing them as instrumental in helping him navigate through “really dark days.” Although he admitted he is “not OK,” he expressed cautious optimism, adding, “I see the light now that I couldn’t see before.”

Allen emphasized the ongoing nature of his recovery, referring to himself as a “work in progress” and recognizing that improvement is gradual. His openness highlights ongoing conversations around mental health challenges among professional athletes and the pressures faced in high-performance sports.

Currently ranked world number 12, Allen’s future in professional snooker remains uncertain as he balances his personal wellbeing with the demands of competition.