Collingwood’s Dayne Beams takes indefinite leave from footy to deal with his mental health

Nathan Buckley has praised Dayne Beams for his bravery as he steps away from footy to cope with mental health issues. The Collingwood coach also highlighted the pressure Beam endured before speaking out about his recent battles.

Dayne Beams says he needs to focus on his mental health Picture: Michael Klein

Dayne Beams is a “broken man’’ after walking from Collingwood, citing mental health issues.

Beams, 28, is still plagued by grief after the death of his father, Philip, who died in March last year.

“I am a broken man at the moment and this is very, very real for myself and the people that I love at the moment,’’ Beams posted on Instagram.

“I am not posting this for people to feel sorry for me or to speculate about my life, I am posting this because this is an issue that I will continue to shine a light on because it is real and it can be so so debilitating if it’s not treated.’’

He pleaded with people suffering depression to reach out and tell someone.

“Think if this were your husband, wife, child, friend experiencing the lows that come with depression, ask yourself what would you do for them,’’ he said.

“Lastly to my family, thank you for inspiring me to beat this illness and always having my back. I love you all.

“Please start having the conversations and helping each other.’’

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the club will support Beams in “whatever he needs” following the star midfielder’s decision to take a break from football.

“I think the football environment and society in general are a little bit more open minded to embracing mental health and the challenges it represents,” Buckley said at a press conference this morning.

“We’ll continue to support Dayne and all our people as much as we possibly can.

“Obviously the media release was about him stepping away for a period of time, and we’ll continue to support him in whatever he needs for his wellbeing and mental health.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and Beam at training earlier this year. Pic: Michael Klein.

“And Dayne’s a fairly open person and I think he’s been challenged by circumstances the last couple of years in particular, and it could have been longer than that, who knows?”

Buckley said he was not surprised by Beams’ decision to publicly express his struggles with an emotional social media post on Wednesday night.

“It’s not unlike him to want to share that and I think we’re in a good position now as a society to see that for what it is and to allow that to take place and to maintain the privacy that’s required,” Buckley said.

“But at the same time , to support as much as we possibly can no matter how close or far away you are from the circumstances.”

Beams declared he was a “broken man at the moment” in his Instagram post.

Buckley said he did not find the post confronting.

“No, and I believe that was the headline that was run with on the back of the paper and I can see how it would be a headline,” he said.

“But once again, I think we all feel broken at some points of our lives.

“I suppose we don’t always tell the world when that is, but if you are struggling with in yourself, having the honesty and openness to admit and acknowledge that is the first step towards finding your way back together.

“None of us are perfect people; all of us have challenges and we all try and put on a brave front in some shape or form.

“But when you’re a public figure it can add to that pressure, and I’m sure Beamsy has felt that.”

PLAYERS PRAISE BEAMS FOR OPENNESS

Collingwood defender Darcy Moore also praised Beams for opening up on his mental health battle.

“For him to be able to be so open about it, about such a serious issue and something that is clearly one of the biggest issues in the game, it speaks volumes to his character,” Moore said on Fox Footy’s On The Mark last night.

“He’s only been back at the club for a short time and now he’s having his own personal struggles but if he can be as open as he has been about that and approach these issues with such an amazing attitude, he’s going to set a really good example for younger players.”

A close friend said Beams, who was expected to return to football in 2020, was “in a bad way”.

Another friend said there was no other reason why Beams took indefinite leave from the Magpies other than to deal with the ongoing challenges of losing his father.

Before he posted on Instagram, Beams released a statement saying: “I have been on the record in the past about the battles I have fought. Right now, I need to step away and regather myself.

“I hope people will understand that this is something I need to do for myself and, importantly, my family. Our wellbeing is the highest priority.”

Beams played nine games for the Pies this year before a hip injury sidelined him.

He wasn’t expected to return this season.

Recruited from Brisbane at the end of last year, Beams had an interrupted post-Christmas period, missing training because of illness and missing the official team photo day on February 5.

His contract expires in 2022.

Beams shared a happy snap with his family on Instagram in recent days. Picture: Instagram

Teammate Darcy Moore last night told Fox Footy Beams’ decision to speak about his issues spoke volumes about his character.

“He’s only been back at the club for a short time and now he’s having his own personal struggles,’’ Moore said.

“But if he can be as open as he has been about that and approach these issues with such an amazing attitude, he’s going to set a good example for younger players.”

Beams made headlines last week when he called out an internet troll who made a gibe about betting. The post included an offensive comment about Beams’ father.

Beams replied: “Why should players just have to put up with this s---. It’s disgusting some of the abuse players cop.”

Beams is the fourth player this year to go public with their mental health problems.

In June, Western Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong, announced he would take a mental health break and is still on leave.

Also in June, Port Adelaide’s Matthew Broadbent was granted a leave of absence by the club to focus on his mental health.

In May, Bulldogs premiership star Tom Boyd announced his retirement.

Beams’ father lost his battle with bowel cancer in March last year. Two weeks later Beams revealed to his then-Brisbane teammates the depth of his grief. “I really feel that it is really good for younger players to see that someone senior, like the leader of their group, is vulnerable,’’ he said.

MESSAGES FROM DAYNE’S HEART

Perfect pictures of a beautiful young family hid the pain bubbling below the surface for Magpie star Dayne Beams.

That was until today, when the Collingwood midfielder revealed his mental health battle to his 70,000 Instagram followers.

The footballer revealed he had been “broken” by a “debilitating” mental illness in a post last night.

It was in stark contrast to recent posts.

Three days ago, a proud Beams posted a series of pictures from son Carter’s first birthday party.

“Happy 1st birthday party my little mate,” the footballer wrote.

“Dad will always have your back.”

Beams and his young son in a picture on his Instagram page. Picture: Instagram

In another post, he called his young son a “little champion”.

He wrote: “Dad loves you a ton.”

At the end of May the footballer, who wears his heart on his sleeve, paid a loving tribute to wife Kelly on her birthday.

“The kids and I love and adore you,” he wrote under a photograph of the couple.

But a post last October hinted at the grief which has been torturing Beams since his father passed away in 2018.

Sharing a picture drinking a beer at his father Philip ‘T-Pot’ Beams’ grave, Dayne said that he missed his dad “like crazy” and thought about him every day.

“I hope you are enjoying a cold one,” he said.

Then, just a few weeks ago, the footballer posted a picture of his beloved father dressed in a blue suit and fedora.

He captioned the picture: ”Always and forever”.

Dayne Beams says he needs to focus on his mental health Picture: Michael Klein

The emotional post was a departure from the usually bright and positive musings of the seemingly ordinary player about his life and work.

He recently used the platform to share his excitement at speaking with former Collingwood star Dane Swan.

In March, he shared a selection of photos with his kids at training with him.

“To have my kids with me on family day was a bonus,” he said.

In the series of posts, he is seen teaching his eldest, Ruby, how to kick and giving his young son Carter a crawl on the hallowed Collingwood ground.

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He also posted about using his position to help others through visits to hospitals to spend time with sick fans.

The player thanked sick fan Mary for giving him strength.

“I feel extremely proud that this job allows me to do things like be able to put a smile on a beautiful person like Mary,” he shared in December.

Other players, organisations and his loving wife commented on his Instagram page yesterday with messages of support and compassion.

Originally published as Collingwood’s Dayne Beams takes indefinite leave from footy to deal with his mental health