Former St Kilda Football Club president Rod Butterss says the AFL needs to stop playing with mental health

Former St Kilda Football Club president Rod Butterss says the AFL has to get serious about mental health issues and “park the brand” for a second to take care of the players.

Rod Butterss says the AFL need to stop pretending when it comes to mental health.

Businessman and former St Kilda Football Club president Rod Butterss says the AFL has to get serious about mental health issues.

“I think the AFL has done a good job on racism, they’ve done a good job with respect to women, but I don’t think they understand mental health at all. I think it’s a bubble of an environment.”

Mr Butterss added: “You’ve got to get a bit more human, park the brand over there for a second, and get honest. You need to talk to people who have been to hell and come through.

You need to stop pretending it’s isolated.

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Jack Steven announced he was taking an indefinite break from footy. Picture: AAP

“It’s not isolated. People are using drugs. Elite sports people and suburban players, all codes, are using sex, drugs, alcohol and gaming to cope with life. But we’ve got to stop pretending it’s a club problem. It’s a societal problem.

“A player comes into our system, and they bring all their childhood trauma into our system. They’re probably unable to cope with the profile, the money and status. But if we wag our finger at them, we’re not helping.”

Mr Butterss made the comments in an interview with Confidential about his appearance on ABC-TV’s You Can’t Ask That, where he discussed his battle with alcoholism, the pain of the past and positives for the future.

Rod Butterss says the AFL needs to step up when it comes to mental health.

Mr Butterss told Confidential that support, in the form of fellowship recovery, has helped him stay sober for almost 10 years.

He was the St Kilda Football Club president from 2000 to 2007. Mr Butterss says the darkest period of his addiction ran from 2005 to 2010.

“The most important message is never give up,” he said.

“All you’ve got to do is put your hand up and say, ‘I need help.’ When you’re prepared to get humble, the help floods in.”