Western Bulldogs player Tom Boyd reveals toll of mental health battle

WESTERN Bulldogs premiership player Tom Boyd says the pressure of being the number one pick, combined with the contract negotiations exacerbated his mental health issues.

WESTERN Bulldogs premiership player Tom Boyd has revealed the extensive toll his three-year mental health battle has taken.

The 23-year-old said his mental health issues were exacerbated by being the number one pick in the 2013 AFL draft, combined with the pressure of contract negotiations with the Western Bulldogs.

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“I had a couple of months where I barely slept at all and I was having issues with the balance in my life,” Boyd said in a video published by Exclusive Insight.

Tom Boyd on draft night with GWS coach Leon Cameron.

Bulldogs AFL star Tom Boyd. has revealed the extensive toll his three-year mental health battle has taken. Picture: Exclusive Insight

“I was getting up each morning feeling really dizzy. I couldn’t concentrate.

“My fatigue levels were so high I could barely train and that was the catalyst for me taking time off.

“It was a pretty dark time for me.

“I was struggling to get by.”

The star forward said problems began when he was drafted to Greater Western Sydney only ten days after finishing high school.

Boyd said he was not educated about mental health growing up.

“I was really struggling to sleep and having a few anxiety issues but I sort of just narrowed it down to being homesick or the stresses of AFL footy,” Boyd said.

Tom Boyd at Western Bulldogs training. Picture: Michael Klein

Tom Boyd celebrates kicking a goal. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

In 2014, he was traded to the Western Bulldogs which is where he gradually developed “more severe” mental health issues.

“(I) wasn’t able to face up and realise that what was going on inside my head wasn’t normal,” he said.

“It can be a really hard thing to deal with, it’s a hard thing to admit to yourself and a hard thing to face.”

Boyd said psychologists and psychiatrists helped him to be more of a “holistic” human being.

“For myself being a footballer it takes a big chunk of my life but I’d like to think that I have a lot of other things that define me as well,” he said.

“There’s a lot of parts to who I am.”

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If you are experiencing mental health issues or suicidal feelings contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or BeyondBlue 1300 224 636. If it is an emergency please call 000.