Experienced Essendon midfielder David Myers has opened up about his mental health battles ahead of the conclusion of this year’s Movember fundraiser.
Myers – who is an ambassador for Movember – revealed the inner demons of his past and said AFL players are lucky to have such immense support available in times of need.
“(In 2017) I took a few weeks off myself and pulled myself out of the senior side, because I was battling with a few mental health issues myself,” Myers told Fox Sports News.
“It’s something that I think clubs are well aware of these days and the support we’re offered as players is fantastic and I think if the greater public can get in a position where they’re offered the same support we are, I think it will help a lot more people.
The 29-year-old said there were a number of factors that led to his dark days including the culmination of numerous disappointing injuries and his year-long suspension from the game in 2016.
“(I) had had a long injury history, which has been talked about a fair bit over my time, and then missed the year of football with the club.
“There was a period of probably four or five years where there’s just lots of little things that built up that I probably didn’t deal with in the right way and it led to a point where I sort of fell in a bit of a hole.”
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Fellow Bomber Aaron Francis took time away from the club earlier this year to deal with his own personal battles and Myers said his young teammate is a prime example of the benefits of addressing mental health and seeking help.
“It’s something that I think you can easily gloss over, but the more we can shine a light on it and have people comfortable to talk and know where to go for help I think is a good thing.
“Aaron had flagged that he needed a bit of help and needed a bit of support, which was really brave of him, and the club wrapped its arms around him.
“You saw his performance when he came back. It just shows not only for football, just for the whole of life, how important it is to be in a good space and be feeling happy about what you’re doing and where you’re headed.”
Myers said his own experience of bravely speaking up about his health was overwhelmingly positive and has left him in a “great” state of mind.
“As soon as you reach out for help (you) have great services through the Players Association and our welfare department.
“And very quickly what you think are big issues turn out to be pretty easily solved, you just need some help to order your thoughts and find a way to work your way through it.”
He urged all men to feel comfortable opening up and discussing mental health as societal acceptance of the issue continues to grow.
“You just see it’s come out more and more and more conversations around mental health, not only in sport, just in young adults in general.
“Men in general don’t tend to talk about issues they’re having and that’s where we need to improve.”
Essendon defenders Michael Hartley and Adam Saad have joined Myers to take part in Movember this year, and you can donate to their cause below.
DONATE TO DAVID MYERS’ MO SPACE
DONATE TO ADAM SAAD’S MO SPACE
DONATE TO MICHAEL HARTLEY’S MO SPACE
If you would like to seek help, call Lifeline (13 11 14) or beyondblue (1300 22 4636)
