They’re young, women flock to them, kids want to be them and they have bank accounts the majority of us can only dream of.
Being an athlete for some, is as big an aspiration as fronting Coldplay or starring in a Twilight movie. But over the years, for more than a few of these local sports stars, sitting right alongside their expensive watches and foreign cars lies a transparent side effect few talk about.
Depression.
In today’s game, not all men are immune to moments of darkness and introspection. Depression is now as common as concussions and judicial hearings when it comes to the life of the modern footballer.
From Jonny Wilkinson to Andrew Johns, the biggest names have dealt with the downer in silence.
Yet for reasons unknown there doesn’t seem to be an open forum for discussion until after the player retires. Only away from the media spotlight and the daily pressures of playing professional sport is it then they feel comfortable to speak out.
Two weeks ago International Rugby Players’ Association Executive Director Rob Nichol addressed the growing issue at a conference in Dublin.
“The game is doing so much around the physical health of the professional player, and we very much appreciate this,” he said.
“However it is our belief that the prevalence of depression and feelings of despair is significant among professional athletes, and that the mental health of the professional rugby player both during and after his playing career is an area we need to put more resource and focus into.”
Despite wonderful campaigns like R U OK day and tireless efforts from The Black Dog institute and Beyond Blue, for most of the general public depression is still not seen as a believable illness. In the tough circles of league and union, an individual who is looked upon by most as to be ‘living the dream’ often struggles in silence.
I, for one, couldn’t imagine coming home from a disaster day at the office then watching it replayed all over the news, social media and again in the paper the next day with everyone having a say on what I did or didn’t do, or even worse, calling for my butt to be sacked.
Can we even fathom how that must feel for a 20-year old who is at risk of depression, or already suffering from it?
I can understand the cries from the modest, hard-working family attempting to survive off minimum wage, screaming “what do they have to be bloody depressed about?” at the next athlete who cites his battles with the blues.
Let us remember, however, there was a time when these young men were merely kids running around the backyard with a footy until they were scouted out on a suburban field and brought into the world of fame, money and public opinion.
In a world where athletes are pushed and pulled in all directions, speaking out and saying you suffer from depression in such a male-dominated sport has, at times, been viewed as sign of weakness; they fear it will be seen as an admission of failure.
And so they stay silent. When asked how they are they simply bang on a faux smile in an attempt to hide their angst.
With over 50 Super Rugby caps and close to 30 games in the green and gold Former Wallaby Clyde Rathbone fought his depression in silence, but not before going to hell and back before finding the courage to let the rugby community in on his secret.
“Anyone who met me would think I was completely normal, and I maintained that fictitious existence for years,” Rathbone said.
This existence is hardly ‘living the dream’ is it?
Steering away from other contributors like gambling and alcohol, depression is now a pivotal issue within the rugby ranks and the IRPA are in the midst of finding a way to decrease the growing number of sufferers before the next Rugby World Cup.
“We challenged the conference to ensure that by the 2015 Rugby World Cup the game can put its hand up and say that more than any other sport we understand the issues associated with the mental health of the elite player and that we have the screening, education and support programs in place to help those who need it” concluded Nichol.
Apart from Nichol sounding like they’re in competition with other sporting bodies, talking about it is a promising start and I commend IRPA on making such a strong declaration.
All codes down under have made it clear they too support those with mental health issues, but I’d love for the remaining few to come forward and also pledge individual support for their clubs.
Awareness is the beginning for widespread acceptance.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
...are small minded and while beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes deep to the bone.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Once again your perspicacity is a beacon in the Roar. It is only my walking frame that stops me from stalking, my son painted it flouro yellow, I can't hide anywhere!! Damn his eyes, I say!!! The Big D. The most likely causative process is the 'supply' of plaudits, attention, dollars, spare time and free females etc tend to create in the minds of some young men a level of narcissism. When the 'supply' is withdrawn (retirement, non-selection, reality) this eventuates in depression. Unfortunately it is a by-product of professional sports because the individuals, do not build, do not see any value in having underlying support network of a job, school, and a life planned and as a work-in-progress to fall back upon. They are teenagers when it all begins, definitely way beyond their capacity to comprehend all the implications. Do the Ruperts and Kerrys and Lowies of the world care? For a start it really isn't there problem, they pay what the player's successfully negotiate so they have done their part. My guess is that the families with the aid of player associations need to inform them and implement some method of identifying those at risk. On the bright side Depression is perfectly treatable. Some very safe medications to blunt the edge and take away the darkest thoughts while the individual regathers their perspective. Looking forward to your next.
mugsyinjapan
Guest
This was for jorcerlyn. Nice article by the way. Very well written. I have read a few of your articles and have often enjoyed them.
mugsyinjapan
Guest
I have a quick question. Is your life reported on all day every day? Yes, they make good money and have a life many of us dream of. But maybe it`s good it`s only a dream. I think the reality is probably quite different. Most glamorous jobs are perceived to be wonderful, but in reality are often horrible. I know that I would hate for all the going`s on in my life to be reported in the media every day,true or untrue. Try to put yourself in another`s shoes once in a while.
Chivas
Guest
Not any mate of yours. Reply how you will, nothing more to say to trash.
Jorceylin
Guest
Nawwww... go have a cry about it mate.
Chivas
Guest
What a really nasty trashy piece of work you are. Occasionally in life there are people who struggle.. it's not about money or fame. If you are such a cold hearted person, I hope you never suffer the indignity of depression. And you know what, as nasty, shallow and thoughtless as you are, there are still people who would help if you fall in a hole. Personally, I don't think you are worthy.
Jorceylin
Guest
You.
Hayley Byrnes
Roar Guru
Like me? Really? So if a male wrote this it's ok? Brick wall. My head.
Offiah
Guest
Thanks for bringing this up. There was this article around the time of the RC,where the springboks coach,HM,talked about how his son had to deal with flak on social media,because of HM being the S.A coach n the sort of criticisms we also see here on the Roar
Hayley Byrnes
Roar Guru
I really enjoyed this article, life eh? Tricky for all at one point or another.
p.Tah
Guest
In recent times think of the abuse Quade, Folau and Deans have copped lately. Think of how it would effect them and their families. Hopefully they don't have a predisposition for depression but nevertheless it would be tough. Perhaps we should think of that before we post. However this way of acting more compassionately shouldn't be kept for the famous. We don't know the circumstances or the health of the people we debate with on forums such as these. That's why we shouldn't get personal or too worked up when discuss issues.
p.Tah
Guest
I'm glad you raised this Hayley. Well done. I posted this elsewhere, but it's approriste here as well: I thought this article gave an interesting view on players with depression. I've always wonder what our criticism of them on forums such as this and in the media may have on them. I'll include refs and coaches in this. Especially refs. I have been quite critical of players and refs this week. The quote that stood out for me was: "We are all macho alpha-males who want to be dominant, to be chestbeaters. To have that stripped away and abused publicly is brutal. When it's happened a hundred times you either take the hint and move on, you become immune or you become depressed." Perhaps we should all think of the person (or their family) when we hurl our abuse in a moment of frustration. In the end it's just a game. If we are to be critical, perhaps it should be constructive, rather than abusive. I guess the test is, what would I think if someone wrote this (the abusive comment) about me? http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2011-12/rugby/story/163742.html
katzilla
Roar Guru
A very pertinent point about the idea of depression in the community. I've often though that renaming the illness in order to separate it from the idea of just being low in mood or having a low day, was the way to go. Wouldn't have the foggiest about what to call it though. The mental health commission could do well to run advertisements showing the chemical differences between clinical depression affected brains and healthy brains. It would give the layman something physical to identify with rather then thinking its just about feeling sad. And that in turn I think would alter public perception of the illness.
Titus
Guest
I think some people don't understand that it isactually an illness. In Football there have been some high profile sucides like Gary Speed and Robert Enke, the national keeper of Germany. Stan Collymore wrote this in a tweet; "“If your mind is empty, your brain ceases to function, your body is pinned to the bed, the future is a dark room with no light and this is your reality, it takes a massive leap of faith to know that this time next week, life could be running again, smiling, my world big and my brain back as it should be. So what do some do? They don’t take the leap of faith, they address a practical problem with a practical solution to them, and that is taking their own life. And sadly,too many take that route out of this hell”. “I’m typing and my brain is full, cloudy and detached but I know I need to elaborate on what I’m going through because there are so many going through this that need to know it’s an illness, just an illness. Not bad, mad, crazy or weak, just ill”. In Australia Dez Girldi has spoken about his battle. Here's a link. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/depression-initiative-sad-but-true-state-of-affairs-20120214-1t43u.html
Chivas
Guest
My thoughts too. Short and succinct. Nicely put.
mark
Guest
agree 100%. when do they get to feed their souls? Great question when you think the wallabies were actually criticised by many media and fans for earning money this spring tour and having the hide to go and see a few of the sights in europe. Some of the headlines likened the spring tour to a contiki tour... i mean damn those young wallabies for wanting to take advantage of their free time and experience some culture while in europe the corner-stone of civilisation.
post
Guest
Grow up.
mark
Guest
that's the exact attitude that makes me wonder why anyone would want to play proffessional sport. Happiness is not about money. Money does not make one happy. Show some class.
mark
Guest
I think when players go and give it their all and they cop a lot of unfair criticism... I'm thinking of the boys that play such a tough sport like international rugby.... i think it must start to get them down. In Australia we seem to have unrealistic expectations, it's as if we think we are simply born better athletes or something, and even criticise the team after winning let alone when they lose.