The stigma of mental illness can make it hard to speak out – especially if you’re a first-grade footballer.
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But this year – three years after his diagnosis with bipolar II disorder – Dragons forward Dan Hunt decided to talk publicly about his experience to help others facing similar battles.
The 28-year-old is promoting the upcoming Wollongong mental health expo being held as part of Mental Health Month.
The annual Walk of Pride will start at MacCabe Park at 10am on Thursday and finish at the top of Crown Street Mall where there will be speakers and information stalls.
Mr Hunt said with mental health disorders affecting one in five people, it was important to raise awareness and show that there was ‘‘light at the end of the tunnel’’.
‘‘I’d always had my ups and downs – in one day I could be feeling on top of the world and then a couple of hours later I could crash and become angry and totally withdrawn,’’ Mr Hunt said.
‘‘In 2009 I was struggling with some issues in my personal and professional life, and then I think the turning point for me was when I missed the 2010 grand final because of an Achilles injury.’’
Fortunately it was around this time that representatives from the Black Dog Institute visited the club to present a seminar on mood disorders such as depression and bipolar.
Mr Hunt went home and took the online test on the institute’s website, the results of which led him to an appointment and subsequent diagnosis.
According to the Black Dog Institute, bipolar II is diagnosed when a person experiences mood swings, but no psychotic episodes.
‘‘It was a little confronting to get the diagnosis but it was also a relief as it helped me to understand why I was feeling the way I did,’’ Mr Hunt said.
‘‘I was able to speak to professionals and get some coping strategies to put in place and, while it’s been a long road, I now know how to deal with it better.’’
As a mental health ambassador for the Dragons, Mr Hunt now helps others – something he will continue to do as he furthers his studies in social work.
‘‘If I can use my profile as a footballer to shine a light on mental health, that’s great,’’ he said.
‘‘I know a lot of young kids and other players who have struggled with mental illness, so it’s something we all need to talk about because there’s help out there.’’
Alanna Roodenrys, spokeswoman for mental health service Neami National, said the theme of this year’s Mental Health Month was to ‘‘Be Younique’’.
‘‘We’re all unique, we all have different strengths,’’ she said.
