Star Athletes Are Opening Up About Their Mental Health In A New Campaign Targeted At Young Men

A number of prominent Australian sportsmen have opened up about their mental health as part of a campaign targeted at young men.

AFL premiership star Tom Boyd, young Socceroo Daniel Arzani, and NRL player James Tedesco are among the athletes to take part in Headspace’s new “headcoach” campaign, which launched this week and aims to teach men that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Boyd was a key part of the Western Bulldogs’ unlikely Grand Final victory in 2016, but last year took a leave of absence from the club to receive treatment for clinical depression and anxiety.

“We managed to win the flag which was an incredible experience. But from my point of view I think it papered over a lot of the cracks that were starting to appear in my mental health,” said the 22-year-old in a video recorded as part of the campaign.

“The real moment my mind started to turn was when I began having panic attacks while driving — that physiological effect of your heart racing, you’re sweating and you can’t concentrate, feeling dizzy.

“It’s hard for some people to understand,” he added. “It’s not tangible, it’s not something you can see.”

“It is so important to make time to look after your mental health. My mental health has hindered me more than any physical injury I’ve sustained in my life and I’ve had multiple surgeries. I really had no idea of some of the techniques you can use not only to help with mental health issues but also to prevent them.”

According to headspace, one in seven young men aged between 16 and 24 experience depression or anxiety in Australia each year, but only 13 percent seek help. Moreover, suicide is the leading cause of death for young men in Australia.

For more information about the headcoach campaign, as well as tips on how to take care of your mental health, visit headspace.

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Feature image via Wikimedia