Fremantle midfielder Nathan O’Driscoll has bravely opened up about his battle with anxiety, revealing he had contemplated taking his own life in the midst of “deep depressive states”.
The 23-year-old, who has played 40 games across six seasons at the Dockers, said he felt it was the right time to speak up about his own experience in a bid to help others going through their own mental health challenges.
In a heartbreaking post to Instagram on Wednesday, O’Driscoll detailed his struggle with anxiety over the past four years.
“I wasn’t going to post this, but with the recent focus on mental health around the league, it feels like the right time,” O’Driscoll posted on Instagram alongside images of teammates, friends and family. “Over the past four years, I’ve had some incredible highs, but also some very low moments. I’ve struggled with anxiety, a constant need to feel like I belong, and always putting others before myself.
“There have been times where I’ve fallen into deep depressive states and three separate times where I’ve been extremely close to committing suicide.”
O’Driscoll said he decided to share his story because “speaking up matters”. “No one is there to judge you, every person I’ve opened up to has supported me in ways I never expected,” he said.
“From the outside, it might look like I have everything, but what’s going on internally can be a very different story. Everyone is dealing with something, and it’s okay to not be okay.
The post follows calls from players, including Geelong star Bailey Smith and Western Bulldogs defender Rory Lobb, for a men’s mental health round in the AFL following multiple incidents over the past month.
Last week, Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson lost his brother Jaryd. Days later, Carlton’s Elijah Hollands suffered what the club later labelled a “mental health episode” against Collingwood at the MCG.
Smith was among the first players to speak out, urging the league to hold a men’s mental health round.
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https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/nathan-odriscoll-fremantle-docker-opens-up-about-battle-with-anxiety-and-suicidal-thoughts-c-22209964
