By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
WAYNE Schwass, in keeping with his reputation as a lauded AFL premiership player laid down a challenge straight down-the-line recently.
At a mental health exposition for Greater Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia Mental Health Network on 9 April he challenged governments to “pick up and run with” a campaign to cut a national toll of 2500 people who committed suicide last year.
He said it was right for governments to invest heavily in reducing the state’s road toll which stood at 242 last year.
Schwass then asked where was the investment – the equivalent of TAC’s hard-hitting road safety campaigns – to reduce the thousands of people who took their own lives.
“We need open, robust and transparent conversations. Why? Because 2500 people left the earth this year.”
Schwass is one of the few AFL footballers who have spoken openly about their own battle with clinical depression.
He drew on the plight of 26-year-old Melbourne footballer Mitch Clark who retired from the game due to clinical depression the day before the exposition.
He knows there would be many more footballers in a similar struggle.
Speaking at the Springvale forum, Schwass said it showed mental illness could “land on the doorstep” of anybody regardless of their profession.
It could even strike down a “ridiculously” well-paid and high-profile footballer who didn’t have to have a “normal job” who had “every reason to be happy”.
“It’s very sad to me in a way (that Clark retired) because he had a very bright future (but) I respect the courage behind the decision he made.”
AFL clubs needed to boost resources for emotional well-being – matching their cutting-edge injury rehabilitation programs, he said.
He asked how an unnamed $24 million club could hire a psychiatrist for just three days a week.
“I’ll continue to lobby my (football) code to see that the most important thing in our code is our people.”
Schwass raised sobs from an otherwise hushed audience as he recounted his life as a footballer who suffered silently with his illness for 10 years.
He said one of the main questions he faced after going public in 2006 was “what were you depressed about?”
He has had to explain he has the same concerns and stresses as everyone else. Married with three children, he had financial stress – it was the same for everyone, rich or poor.
As a 17 to 18-year-old footballer and life-long perfectionist, he tried to put aside the “sense of overwhelming sadness” and get on with his career.
Around 1995-96, he had a glittering on-field era, which included a premiership, vice-captaincy and two best-and-fairests.
It coincided with his lowest emotional ebb.
After training one night, he started crying as he stopped at traffic lights. The tears flowed for half an hour.
When first diagnosed, he thought depression was for “weak people”. He was worried what family, friends and team-mates would think.
“That’s such an ignorant position to take,” he said.
“I was extremely fit and finely tuned to play AFL, but not equipped to deal with … this thing called depression.
“While I grew up, I only saw my dad cry once. I never acknowledged I loved my dad.
“To show emotion was a weakness.”
Not seeking help was a “fundamental mistake” that he urged others not to make.
It deprived him of 10 years of quality life, he said.
“It’s incredible how much help is out there when you put your hand up.”
Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
