Following the recent passing of fellow competitor Adam Hunter and the earlier loss of Troy Selwood, a good friend of Brendan Fevola, the former star detailed his mental health struggles of being in the AFL.
Fevola opened up to listeners on The Fox's Fifi, Fev & Nick show this morning stating that the AFL doesn't do enough to help players once their career is done and even though he was a big star earning good money, mental health does not discriminate.
"I just feel like the AFL aren't equipped or shine enough light on mental health for men," he said.
"I was embarrassed. I didn't want to say anything that I was feeling because I didn't want anyone to think less of me and I think that is the general consensus with most males.
"We build a wall and we've got this big persona that we're fine, we're tough we're right we'll go out and earn this or do that.
"But I used to get in my car on the way home and cry to myself. We tell ourselves everything's good and then you just keep portraying that until it builds up and it gets to a problem where you can't go back."
Many AFL players suffer from similar issues with Fevola citing former teammate Zach Tuohy, who recounted his time at the Blues in a recent appearance on "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here."
Tuohy shared an emotional moment where he found himself suffering from the stresses of his career and his life outside of football.
"I think I have a bit of a mindset that's really good for football, but just terrible for the real world, which is 'shut up and get on with it', that was kind of my approach to everything," Tuohy said.
"I'd be crying in the car, and just wait until that feeling left, and then I'd be like, 'right, just get on with it now. You're fine, get over it'."
If you or anyone you know needs support, contact:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
13YARN: 13 92 76 or 13yarn.org.au
