Bulldog Tom Boyd talks about his anxiety, depression to support young men’s mental health

[westdog54]

It’s not fun, but hopefully as a Victorian society in particular, owing to VicPol members having the highest police suicide rate, more and more will get done to improve the rank & file mental health and significantly reduce the personal impact and suicide rate. The more people like Tom can raise mental health, and the sooner we can all feel free to discuss it nonchalantly as an injury, like we do an physical injury, and not a self imposed ‘dirty secret’ the better we will all be. Most of us will be touched to some degree, so talking and promoting better mental health is a great step in the right direction by Tom and co.

It is definitely too late for some but those in high places are finally talking sensibly and strongly about it and progress is being made. There is a long way to go, but there are more now whose hearts and heads are in the right place.

[bulldogtragic]

It is definitely too late for some but those in high places are finally talking sensibly and strongly about it and progress is being made. There is a long way to go, but there are more now whose hearts and heads are in the right place.

I suppose that's better but I won't side track the thread, but 10 years ago do we think guys like Tom, Trav Cloke or Buddy Franklin would be openly talking about mental illness struggles? The answer is no because this isn't a new phenomenon. I wonder just how many former players struggled in silence, and in an industry where excessive drinking was the norm, just hit the bottle to try to get through it. All these guys coming forward are consigning that to history and hopefully ushering in a new era where these young men can talk about it. And hopefully all men and women can realise depression or anxiety is not related to your class, means, income or strength. It doesn't discriminate. But seeking help can bridge the problem to the point you perform the functions of your life, in these guys case, being professional athletes. Everyone whose posted their short story in this thread is a testament to that. So thanks for sharing.