Opinion | There’s nothing wrong with being depressed. Rugby legend tackles stigma of mental health issues
- Former All Blacks player and coach John Kirwan broke barriers when he went public with his struggles with depression
- Combating mental health issues starts with erasing the stigma and reaching out for help
As someone who has experienced their share of failure, tragedy and setbacks in life, I’m no stranger to depression.
I’ve lost close friends to suicide and overdoses, and had as many good years as bad on this planet. I missed my best friend’s funeral a few years back given I’d turned my back on our decades long friendship due to his drug abuse and subsequent behaviour.
Turns out my story is no different than anyone on this planet, we all have things to be sad about, and can find things that make us happy.
In 2019, I’m far from perfect and still make mistakes, but take pride in the fact that I’m still here, breathing, and finding ways to enjoy life on a daily basis.
Talking to New Zealand All Black legend John Kirwan echoed an epiphany I had about mental health a few years ago. Whether triggered by trauma, personal experience, or a chemical imbalance, things like depression and anxiety are just a fact of life. Being depressed happens, it’s not something to be ashamed of. Seeking help should not make you feel weak, and wanting to get better should be cause for celebration, support and understanding.