Calls for Dedicated AFL Mental Health Round Following Adam Selwood's Death
Former West Coast Eagles player Brayden Ainsworth advocates for mental health initiatives in the AFL after the passing of Adam Selwood.
The recent death of Adam Selwood, a former West Coast Eagles player, has sparked calls for the establishment of a dedicated mental health round in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Brayden Ainsworth, a former player who faced significant mental health challenges after being delisted from the Eagles, has joined the conversation regarding the urgent need for mental health awareness and support in the sport.
Adam Selwood, who passed away at the age of 41, had a notable career with the Eagles from 2002 to 2013, playing a total of 187 games.
He was part of the team's 2006 premiership victory against the Sydney Swans.
His death follows closely the passing of his twin brother, Troy Selwood, a former Brisbane Lions player, who died by suicide just three months earlier.
The circumstances surrounding Adam's death have not been publicly detailed.
Prior to their match against St Kilda at Perth Stadium, the West Coast Eagles honored Adam Selwood with a tribute, which included a moment of silence as they secured a 28-point victory in a match that carried significant emotional weight for the club and its players.
Brayden Ainsworth, drafted by the West Coast Eagles at pick 32 in 2017, made his debut in 2018 and played 14 games before his delisting in 2021. Following his playing career, Ainsworth has taken a proactive approach to mental health, running workshops aimed at supporting young men and sharing his own struggles with eating disorders, including anorexia.
He emphasized the importance of creating a dedicated mental health round in the AFL, proposing that it could help dismantle stigmas associated with seeking help and generate funding for mental health services.
Ainsworth stated, "Let's raise some amazing funds, as much as we can, and then put that back out into the community, and I think that's the way that the mental health round can really work to then fund services and advocacy."
The former player believes that such an initiative could have significant ripple effects, reaching grassroots football and impacting younger demographics through programs such as Auskick.
He noted that while one mental health round may not resolve all issues, it could raise awareness and provide valuable resources to assist others.
Reflecting on his own mental health journey, Ainsworth described the aftermath of being delisted as one of the most challenging periods of his life, leading to a hospitalization where his recovery was uncertain.
He credited the support services provided by the AFL and individual clubs but acknowledged the difficulty many players face when it comes to reaching out for help.
"When you reach out and you ask for help, that's when it becomes real," he remarked.
The Western Australia Sport and Recreation Minister, Rita Saffioti, expressed interest in discussing the proposed AFL mental health round but emphasized the need to focus on supporting the Selwood family during this difficult time.
She pointed out that men's mental health is a communal issue that requires ongoing public dialogue.
Richmind, a mental health service provider in Western Australia, highlighted the urgent need for tailored suicide prevention strategies for men, citing that they represent 75% of annual suicide deaths in Australia.
Richmind's CEO, Adrian Munro, noted that men often experience feelings of shame when expressing their struggles, making it critical to enhance education and awareness within sports and community groups.
As conversations around mental health in sports gain traction, the AFL community continues to grapple with loss and the pressing need for comprehensive mental health support.
Brayden Ainsworth, a former player who faced significant mental health challenges after being delisted from the Eagles, has joined the conversation regarding the urgent need for mental health awareness and support in the sport.
Adam Selwood, who passed away at the age of 41, had a notable career with the Eagles from 2002 to 2013, playing a total of 187 games.
He was part of the team's 2006 premiership victory against the Sydney Swans.
His death follows closely the passing of his twin brother, Troy Selwood, a former Brisbane Lions player, who died by suicide just three months earlier.
The circumstances surrounding Adam's death have not been publicly detailed.
Prior to their match against St Kilda at Perth Stadium, the West Coast Eagles honored Adam Selwood with a tribute, which included a moment of silence as they secured a 28-point victory in a match that carried significant emotional weight for the club and its players.
Brayden Ainsworth, drafted by the West Coast Eagles at pick 32 in 2017, made his debut in 2018 and played 14 games before his delisting in 2021. Following his playing career, Ainsworth has taken a proactive approach to mental health, running workshops aimed at supporting young men and sharing his own struggles with eating disorders, including anorexia.
He emphasized the importance of creating a dedicated mental health round in the AFL, proposing that it could help dismantle stigmas associated with seeking help and generate funding for mental health services.
Ainsworth stated, "Let's raise some amazing funds, as much as we can, and then put that back out into the community, and I think that's the way that the mental health round can really work to then fund services and advocacy."
The former player believes that such an initiative could have significant ripple effects, reaching grassroots football and impacting younger demographics through programs such as Auskick.
He noted that while one mental health round may not resolve all issues, it could raise awareness and provide valuable resources to assist others.
Reflecting on his own mental health journey, Ainsworth described the aftermath of being delisted as one of the most challenging periods of his life, leading to a hospitalization where his recovery was uncertain.
He credited the support services provided by the AFL and individual clubs but acknowledged the difficulty many players face when it comes to reaching out for help.
"When you reach out and you ask for help, that's when it becomes real," he remarked.
The Western Australia Sport and Recreation Minister, Rita Saffioti, expressed interest in discussing the proposed AFL mental health round but emphasized the need to focus on supporting the Selwood family during this difficult time.
She pointed out that men's mental health is a communal issue that requires ongoing public dialogue.
Richmind, a mental health service provider in Western Australia, highlighted the urgent need for tailored suicide prevention strategies for men, citing that they represent 75% of annual suicide deaths in Australia.
Richmind's CEO, Adrian Munro, noted that men often experience feelings of shame when expressing their struggles, making it critical to enhance education and awareness within sports and community groups.
As conversations around mental health in sports gain traction, the AFL community continues to grapple with loss and the pressing need for comprehensive mental health support.
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