Official Andrew Fifita

Mr Wright · Oct 3, 2014

ABshark said:
I feel for him. If he's got good quality professional help then he ought to be fine.

But it does raise an issue that's been gnawing at me since Nu did his knee. Do NRL clubs take mental health as seriously as they take physical health?

One in three young people (that is, between the age of 14 and 25) will experience mental health problems. My guess is the rate in NRL clubs is quite possibly higher.

They're also a group who are often away from home and are under a great deal of pressure to 'make it'. They have to manage serious injuries which threaten their career and separate them from their mates during rehab.

And many young people use alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate.

Most of that is pretty obvious but its made me wonder how Clubs approach the issue. I'm sure they address issues once they become serious (like Andrew's appears to have) but do they deal with these things pro-actively?

Basically, what's the culture like? Do the players (and staff) acknowledge that depression, anxiety and the like are real problems that require professional help?

And do they have structures in place to prevent and mitigate these illnesses? They spend a heap of time and money training the bodies of these athletes, in part to prevent injury. How much effort goes in to building psychological skills and support networks (both inside and outside the Club) to head off these problems before they arise and to improve psychological performance?

It might be that these things arent reported but somehow I doubt it. I would appreciate everyone else's thoughts.

Are you implying the NRL is incompetent? Shock Horror. I doubt they have any real structures in place as far as mental illnesses go, behind the world by 10 years again NRL. I reckon it would come down to the player making the decision to seek help outside of the clubs knowledge or in extreme cases the club sitting the player down and asking if they had a problem/s.

In reality the NRL should provide support staff to each team working on the mental side of things with the players, because it surely doesn't seem like the clubs can come up with such a revelation of an idea and put it into action.

BlackWhiteBlue · Oct 3, 2014

Mr Wright said:
Are you implying the NRL is incompetent? Shock Horror. I doubt they have any real structures in place as far as mental illnesses go, behind the world by 10 years again NRL. I reckon it would come down to the player making the decision to seek help outside of the clubs knowledge or in extreme cases the club sitting the player down and asking if they had a problem/s.

In reality the NRL should provide support staff to each team working on the mental side of things with the players, because it surely doesn't seem like the clubs can come up with such a revelation of an idea and put it into action.

I think the NRL do things very very well in regards to counselling players. Im pretty sure there is a big system in place for junior players to help them deal with the pressures of basically having a short time to cement a career.

Not saying this is Fifitas act, but what i have noticed, and it started with one of the league immortals was as soon as off field issues come to public attention a defence in the way of a mental illness is formed. Taking ecstasy every week after game****-i have bi-polar……now everyone feels sorry for me. Trashing ****…..rehab for depression……this season alone, there has been 3 players (all big names) go to rehab after an off field incident. Im not saying they may or may not be seeking help genuinely, or if they are doing it for damage control

woody08 · Oct 3, 2014

I think blokes like Ben Ross and Men of League are at the front line of these issues.

At least i hope so.

egg · Oct 3, 2014

BlackWhiteBlue said:
I think the NRL do things very very well in regards to counselling players. Im pretty sure there is a big system in place for junior players to help them deal with the pressures of basically having a short time to cement a career.

Not saying this is Fifitas act, but what i have noticed, and it started with one of the league immortals was as soon as off field issues come to public attention a defence in the way of a mental illness is formed. Taking ecstasy every week after game****-i have bi-polar……now everyone feels sorry for me. Trashing ****…..rehab for depression……this season alone, there has been 3 players (all big names) go to rehab after an off field incident. Im not saying they may or may not be seeking help genuinely, or if they are doing it for damage control

That crossed my mind too.
Wish we had of taken that path with Todd and booked him into Mental Health straight after the bubbling occurred . Who knows he might have learnt a few things and come out still on the books.
All the very best to Andrew if his is depressed and hope you get on top of things

BlackWhiteBlue · Oct 3, 2014

egg said:
That crossed my mind too.
Wish we had of taken that path with Todd and booked him into Mental Health straight after the bubbling occurred . Who knows he might have learnt a few things and come out still on the books.
All the very best to Andrew if his is depressed and hope you on top of things

And the media would not be able to bag him given they basically gave Ben Barba a hall pass

BlackWhiteBlue · Oct 3, 2014

and yes, hope Fifita is kickin on well. Got a month off now then back into shape for next season. Really need him, lewis graham and gallen to work hard in the off season and let some of our younger or less experienced forwards see how its done

egg · Oct 3, 2014

BlackWhiteBlue said:
And the media would not be able to bag him given they basically gave Ben Barba a hall pass

Correct, especially if there were signs he was loosing it (which there were) and crying out for help after being a model citizen for 2 years prior . Sad we didn't attempt it, really had nothing to loose

CrankyShark · Oct 3, 2014

I have to disagree with this. Pointing the finger at the NRL is pretty rich. Every club has a doctor for a start, and should feel comfortable in telling the doctor they have a problem. They can also do this with the club doctor unable to tell the club if they wish it to remain private.

There is a limit to what the NRL can do. Players can only do so much physical training per day and so much video/strategy. The professional game has brought money and free time to players. The AFL is no different.

I'd be surprised if most clubs don't have a psychologist on speed dial, but many people regard their personal lives as their own business. It isn't really the NRL's place to make them do anything.

goodbyepenrithhellosharks · Oct 3, 2014

I am not being a cold hearted bastard but can anyone confirm the depression
It seem as of late when a footy player stuffs up on the drink, admitting themselves to a clinic seems to get the press off their back
But in saying that I make a **** of myself regularly on the drink so I must be a basket case

Gil · Oct 3, 2014

goodbyepenrithhellosharks said:
I am not being a cold hearted bastard but can anyone confirm the depression
It seem as of late when a footy player stuffs up on the drink, admitting themselves to a clinic seems to get the press off their back
But in saying that I make a **** of myself regularly on the drink so I must be a basket case

I'm assuming only he would know.

From a personal experience sometimes the booze is an escape or a way to hide this issue (depression) etc.
When they get caught doing what ever it can come as a big wake up call.

The scary thing about this is even family and friends might not see the signs, they may only see someone loving to have a drink.

For him to come out and acknowledge that there is an issue is the hardest part, it's makes the next step a little easier.

Depression is a silent killer, I'm glad he's getting some help with it.

goodbyepenrithhellosharks · Oct 3, 2014

Gil said:
I'm assuming only he would know.

From a personal experience sometimes the booze is an escape or a way to hide this issue (depression) etc.
When they get caught doing what ever it can come as a big wake up call.

The scary thing about this is even family and friends might not see the signs, they may only see someone loving to have a drink.

For him to come out and acknowledge that there is an issue is the hardest part, it's makes the next step a little easier.

Depression is a silent killer, I'm glad he's getting some help with it.

I hear you Gil...if he is suffering from it my heart goes out to him and well done to him for tackling the beast.....I was just testing the waters so to speak to see if anyone can confirm these reports

Gil · Oct 3, 2014

goodbyepenrithhellosharks said:
I hear you Gil...if he is suffering from it my heart goes out to him and well done to him for tackling the beast.....I was just testing the waters so to speak to see if anyone can confirm these reports

You would think that there would be something official seeing as it's been in the media. (to set the records straight)

I just wish the media had left it alone and let him deal with it with his family and friends,

A.Snowden · Oct 3, 2014

I don't believe any of it should be official, or in the media. When i go to the Dr i dont expect it to be splashed around the media. I dont see why it should matter to us if someone has mental/health issues, unless that player themselves want to release that info.

Gil · Oct 3, 2014

A.Snowden said:
I don't believe any of it should be official, or in the media. When i go to the Dr i dont expect it to be splashed around the media. I dont see why it should matter to us if someone has mental/health issues, unless that player themselves want to release that info.

Agree there.

sharks2010 · Oct 3, 2014

A.Snowden said:
I don't believe any of it should be official, or in the media. When i go to the Dr i dont expect it to be splashed around the media. I dont see why it should matter to us if someone has mental/health issues, unless that player themselves want to release that info.

bingo
And it's also hard for people to pass judgement when they don't know the full details

BlackWhiteBlue · Oct 3, 2014

completely agree. If the papers such as the Daily Telegraph arent putting enough undue pressure on rugby league players in this country every day watching their actions, then they start spruiking 'inside info' on them, such as mental health issues. Because their articles are filled with half truths, and usually the old stretch of the actual truth, its hard to finish reading an article and have a complete idea of what is happening. 1 guy writes Fifita is IN a clinic, the next writes he has already left. This is where gossip starts, its where all of a sudden instead of people getting excited about a fit healthy fifita getting his body right for 2015 now everyone is concerned about his personal life.

When did these athletes become more than just athletes? We dont need to know everything they do off the field, nor do they need to have their personal lives sold in the press

endevour shark · Oct 3, 2014

egg said:
That crossed my mind too.
Wish we had of taken that path with Todd and booked him into Mental Health straight after the bubbling occurred . Who knows he might have learnt a few things and come out still on the books.
All the very best to Andrew if his is depressed and hope you get on top of things

Well said egg and if he does have depression we should be doing all we can to help him

endevour shark · Oct 3, 2014

Gil said:
I'm assuming only he would know.

From a personal experience sometimes the booze is an escape or a way to hide this issue (depression) etc.
When they get caught doing what ever it can come as a big wake up call.

The scary thing about this is even family and friends might not see the signs, they may only see someone loving to have a drink.

For him to come out and acknowledge that there is an issue is the hardest part, it's makes the next step a little easier.

Depression is a silent killer, I'm glad he's getting some help with it.

Good onya Gill getting on the grog is the natural progression ( self medication) and the really sad part is it makes the whole situation a lot worse, and yes it is a killer and the Shire is fairly high on the list.

CrazyMatt · Oct 3, 2014

BlackWhiteBlue said:
When did these athletes become more than just athletes? We dont need to know everything they do off the field, nor do they need to have their personal lives sold in the press

I wish society would get this one day. I really do.

19ninety9 · Oct 3, 2014

endevour shark said:
Well said egg and if he does have depression we should be doing all we can to help him

**** off.

These players are paid more money in a year then I earn in ten and he needs my help. Must be ****ing depressing having a massive house in South Sydney, a fit wife and a perfectly healthy child. 1st world problems.

Aww I didn't get picked for origin and I lost my spot in the Kangaroos, boohoo..

**** needs to spend a month in a 1 bedroom studio surviving on a tray of sausages and a loaf of white bread.

And you fullas are falling all over yourselves to feel sorry for them, same here in England, aww you're down are you Rooney, you only get paid 300 grand a week I'm sure you'll manage.

FML. What is the world coming too.

Official Andrew Fifita

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