NRL 2021: Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary opens up on his mental health battle

Roosters star Luke Keary is encouraging people to speak up about their mental health issues after working through his own battle with stress and anxiety.

Luke Keary has opened up about his mental health battle. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Injured Roosters star Luke Keary knows the feeling of stress and anxiety. Keary understands that for some that mental anguish can linger longer than it does for others.

It is why he is encouraging people to speak up.

“Every single person goes through different stages, different challenges where it doesn’t feel good,” Keary said. “You get a bit of anxiety, stress and feel a bit down. Every single person goes through these times and challenges, they just deal with it differently.

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“I’ve been through different stuff. I’m very fortunate in the life I’ve had, but you still got through stuff that affects you.

“I want to say to people it’s OK and normal. It doesn’t discriminate just because you’re a footy player and earning great money, you’re winning competitions, everything looks great from the outside. It can still get you.

Luke Keary is encouraging people to speak up about their mental health problems. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I know a lot of my friends, family and players I’ve played with have gone through that.

“It’s a message to younger people ‘hey, everyone goes through hard stuff and it’s OK to go through it and talk about it’.”

Keary has signed on as an ambassador for MOOD, a tea brand that directs all its profits to charities working on the front line of youth mental health. It is why he is comfortable talking openly about mental health and trying to prevent youth suicide.

“When I was a teenager no one ever spoke about it,” Keary said. “Facts weren’t reported. You’d have a school counsellor and it made me think going through that as a kid, ‘how would I feel?’ It’s something I’m passionate about.”

The NSW and Australian representative has spent a large chunk of this season watching from the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in round three.

That challenge has seen him removed from not only playing but also the Roosters’ squad, who are based in Queensland.

“It’s been weird,” Keary said. “You’re involved with a team for 10 years and all of a sudden all these people are not there. It’s just a really weird thing.

Luke Keary was ruled out for the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in round 3. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“It’s been good in the fact we have a small crew trying to getting ourselves right. We don’t have distractions or a team getting ready for a game.”

Keary has been able to watch on as Sam Walker adjusts to life as an NRL player. The pair are yet to play alongside each other but will be the Roosters’ long-term halves combination.

“Everyone can see how talented he is,” Keary said. “He has had a solid start to his career. He will learn a lot from this year.

“The next two months is going to be good for his development. He will go into his first finals series and come across different situations.

“In difficult circumstances, to come into a team as a halfback with a lot of senior players not there, it’s been a baptism of fire.”