Bailey Smith details mental health battle during All-Australian speech

[ad_1] Geelong star Bailey Smith has used his All-Australian acceptance interview to share that he spent 4 weeks in a psychological well being facility.

Admitting he had "by no means stated that earlier than", the Cats midfielder surprised friends at Thursday's AFL Awards evening with uncooked honesty about his psychological well being throughout an on-stage chat with host Mark Howard.

<h3 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile18__eJCIB Typography_sizeDesktop20___6qCS Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop24__Fh_y5 Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Should you or anybody you understand wants assist: Lifeline on 13 11 141800RESPECT on 1800 737 732safe steps on 1800 015 188Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Name Again Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636Headspace on 1800 650 890ReachOut at au.reachout.com Smith has beforehand detailed challenges with despair and nervousness, however stated his psychological well being deteriorated after a knee harm dominated him out of the whole 2024 season.

"It was a couple of 12 months in the past, I received out of a psych ward," Smith stated.

"I used to be in Epworth Camberwell for like 4 weeks, and I received out a pair hours a day, and I spent that coaching.

"I went via a very darkish time. I did not assume I might get to the opposite aspect.

"I am tremendous grateful to be right here via the assist of my household, my supervisor Robbie (D'Orazio), been there via the surprising instances.

"I do know it is simply an harm, however till you expertise it and have a way of id taken away from you, after which undergo some teething points with and shifting golf equipment and out of doors noise, and nonetheless attempting to simply develop up and rehab a knee.

"I am tremendous grateful to be on the opposite aspect of it.

"I would not change it for the world, however definitely stunned to be the place I'm."

Smith moved to Geelong throughout final 12 months's commerce interval following six seasons on the Western Bulldogs.

The 25-year-old has been an prompt success with the Cats, serving to energy them into premiership favouritism forward of one other finals marketing campaign.

After Smith's revelation, he obtained additional questions on his challenges in an sudden flip from the traditional All-Australian interviews.

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"It was laborious however it was one thing I needed to do," Smith stated.

"It was clearly voluntary to go in. I nonetheless see my psych right now, it helps me.

"I feel I simply modified my mindset from when you've got an harm you have to rehab it within the gymnasium.

"In case you have an harm mentally, it is simply rehabbing and holding on high of that.

"It is simply going to the gymnasium on your health, I am going for my psychological health.

"Altering my mindset round that, the phrase will get thrown round loads as of late, psychological well being is an excuse in some instances and it is not a sympathy for me factor it is simply extra to boost consciousness that you would be able to put your hand up.