Sam Newman urges Rex Hunt to prioritise his health

Longtime friends of the legendary footy personality and fisherman have shared their well wishes amid his latest health setback.

Rex Hunt has been open about his mental health struggles. Picture: Alex Coppel

Friends have once again rallied around footy media legend Rex Hunt who is receiving treatment for his mental health.

Hunt was admitted to a care facility in Melbourne’s southeast on Friday.

He has over many years been open about his struggles with mental health.

His longtime friend Sam Newman said Hunt needed to prioritise his health.

“It is well documented that I am a friend of Rex Hunt and I worry for his present state of mind,” Newman said.

Hunt is receiving treatment for his mental health. Picture: Michelle Winters

“Rex should put on hold all his future engagements until he completes a rehabilitation course at the facility he has been admitted to.

“He should give himself a break from public life and focus on his wellbeing spiritually, physically and mentally. He is a good friend, and we all want the best for him.”

Another close friend, John Locco, wished Hunt well during his recovery.

“We are hopeful that over time that he can make steady progress to recovery and there are many people in support of Rex who wish him well in his current situation,” Locco said.

Hunt’s friends are wishing him well in his recovery. Picture: Michael Klein

The iconic footy caller had previously checked himself into the Melbourne clinic for treatment in July after his mental health declined.

Hunt spoke openly on Newman’s You Cannot Be Serious podcast in May telling of his long battle with bipolar depression.

He said his mental health began to decline seven years ago after he became hooked on powerful pain killing opioids following surgery for a debilitating neck injury.

“Life will never ever be the same. Mental illness is a nasty word for some, but until it happens to you, I had no idea the ups and downs your mind goes through when you are suffering what I am suffering (from),” Hunt said.

Rex Hunt and Sam Newman pictured in 2001.

“It is a chemical imbalance in the brain and I have been diagnosed with bipolar depression, high highs and low lows.”

He said he was officially diagnosed six years ago following a “meltdown” that saw him admitted to a mental health clinic in country Victoria for six weeks.

Hunt revealed in May that his family had fractured in recent months as he struggled with his mental health.