James Hird talks about coming out of depression after Essendon drugs saga

FOOTY great James Hird believes he has emerged a better person from his mental health battle triggered by the Essendon supplements saga — and now wants to encourage discussion about depression.

FOOTY great James Hird believes he has emerged a better person from his mental health battle triggered by the Essendon supplements saga.

Hird, who underwent treatment in a psychiatric facility last year after reaching breaking point, spoke about his dark days and finding the light again at a lunch with his podcast partner Shane Crawford at Crown on Friday.

HEROES TO SKIP ESSENDON’S 1993 FLAG REUNION

SHEEDY SAYS HIRD COULD COACH IN AFL AGAIN

HIRD REVEALS DRUG SCANDAL DAMAGE

The pair have teamed with Ralph Horowitz to create the insightful Crawf & Hirdy podcast.

Hird said he wanted to normalise depression and encourage discussion about “what can happen inside your head when it gets really dark”.

James Hird wants to normalise depression and encourage discussion. Picture: Alex Coppel

“When you are truly down in the dark deep depths of depression, it feels like there is no way out,” he said.

“You cannot see how you are going to get out when you spend two or three days in bed and you can’t move, when your brain just won’t let you out of that cycle.

“The reason why I feel very comfortable talking about it is that it has happened to me, I have come out the other side, I feel like I am a better person because of it.”

Hird spent five weeks in a Melbourne clinic early last year.

“When you are in a psychiatric facility with people that are crazy — not that I was — I actually said to the doctor, ‘But I am not meant to be here, I am not crazy’, and he said, ‘Well, you are at the moment and that is why you are here’,” Hird said.

Shane Crawford is James Hird’s podcast partner.

“It allowed my brain to get to a place where I could think about things again ... It was a tough time but I am really glad I went in there and am even gladder I am out.”

Hird and Crawford’s podcast showcases the pair’s huge knowledge of football, but also sees them share anecdotes from their playing days. The lunch was the first that they have presented as part of their podcast venture.

Other topics covered included their Grand Final victories, Brownlow Medal wins, and their experience training under two of the AFL’s greatest coaches in Kevin Sheedy (Hird) and Alastair Clarkson (Crawford).