The secret Darren Jolly kept from even his closest teammates

WHEN AFL star Darren Jolly switched from the Sydney Swans to Collingwood, fans were shocked, but off-field he was guarding a secret.

Darren Jolly with wife Dea and daughters Scarlett and Lily.

WHEN AFL star Darren Jolly switched from the Sydney Swans to Collingwood mid-contract, fans were baffled.

But off-field Jolly was guarding a secret - wife Deanne had post-natal depression (PND) and needed to be closer to the support of family and friends in Melbourne.

The father-of-two confided in coach Paul Roos but otherwise kept his family problems private.

"No one knew, not even any of the players knew why I wanted to come home," Jolly said.

"It was pretty hard I suppose at the time, not telling people the truth because we had had a good season and then we wanted to leave.

"I thought at first like any other male that I could fix it and we probably didn't need any help, that I could make it better but I was kidding myself."

Jolly has gone public with his experience to support How Is Dad Going?, a new website to help the partners of the 70,000 women diagnosed with PND annually and the one in 20 dads who suffer the illness themselves.

Deanne is now "a thousand times better" and life with daughters Scarlett, 6, and Lily, 4, is fantastic.

But Jolly (above, with his family) said his experience had taught him professional help was vital because PND could be overcome with the right treatment.

"I think being honest really helped me. Roosy knew the whole of 2009 when it was hardest for us. He knew what was going on and the pressures we were under," Jolly said.

"When I was playing for Sydney we were travelling every second or third week so it was hard on (Deanne), to be left in the house when she was feeling this way with two little newborns.

"At the end of the season we sat down with Roosy and said we need to come back to Melbourne and he was fantastic.

"Luckily, coming back here and playing for the Pies, we travel less so that is a big change and a fantastic difference for me to be around a lot more.

"And when I first arrived the club knew about it (my family situation) so they were a great support."

The Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA) said its new dad-focused website offered important information on the condition and support services on offer.

Social worker Tim O'Leary, who helped set up How Is Dad Going?, said fathers could be under great stress with juggling careers, helping their partner and meeting family demands.

"An important thing a lot of dads don't know is they can ring the PANDA hotline, rather than suffering in silence if they are stressed or worried or have got the fifth phone call from their partner that morning," he said.

Perinatal psychiatrist Matthew Roberts said dads could often be the forgotten casualty of PND.

"It is a significant problem - dads struggling with undiagnosed and untreated post-natal depression," Dr Roberts said.

Jolly, who has made a video on his experience for How Is Dad Going? said the website "is perfect for guys who are struggling" with the same situation.

The devoted father said seeking professional help was important, and that moving back home close to family and friends had been a vital step.

* Watch Darren Jolly discuss his experience with PND at www.howisdadgoing.org.au

Panda helpline 1300 726 306 (www.panda.org.au)