Overview
- The Fremantle midfielder, who posted on Instagram on Wednesday, said he had been close to taking his own life on three occasions and asked people to speak up and stay connected.
- Teammates posted messages of love, including vice-captain Caleb Serong and defender Brandon Walker, and his brother Aiden said the family stands with him.
- O’Driscoll, 23, described four years of anxiety and a recent personal loss, and he thanked friends, family and teammates for helping him through it.
- Players including Geelong’s Bailey Smith and Western Bulldogs’ Rory Lobb have pressed for an AFL men’s mental health round, with some officials expressing support, according to ABC.
- Recent events have heightened focus on mental health, including Carlton’s Elijah Hollands having what the club called a “mental health episode” before a hospital admission and Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson grieving his brother’s death.