NRL: How Manly forward Joel Thompson is breaking down mental health stigmas

As a man who knows what it is like to suffer, Manly forward Joel Thompson has set up his own foundation in a bid to tackle mental health issues in society.

Manly forward Joel Thompson has set up the Mindset Project, a program aimed at tackling mental health issues in society. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

More NRL stars could be battling mental demons and we wouldn’t know.

Manly back-rower Joel Thompson has warned there is still a stigma for rugby league players to admit they are struggling, which is why many suffer in silence.

Thompson set up the Mindset Project in 2012 – a program aimed at assisting people suffering from mental health issues.

He has reached out to countless people in the community dealing with mental battles during the coronavirus lockdown, and he is making a difference.

But he says there is still a long way to go for league players, who often struggle mentally living in the competitive and pressure-based clubland environments.

It’s a dangerous precedent that can be intensified during isolation, as seen when South Sydney centre James Roberts checked into a rehabilitation centre back in May for the third time in four years.

Joel Thompson is urging NRL players with mental health issues to reach out. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“I haven’t had any NRL players reach out to me, but if there are any that see this story then please reach out,” Thompson said.

“I’d be happy to chat or help them in any way.

“I recently sent out resources and some of my booklets to remote communities and different school groups.

“I was brought up on a mentality of being tough, which is wrong.

“It is why I want to create awareness, start those conversations but also push people in the right direction and provide them with the resources.

“Anyone that has had depression and comes out the other side, they have that fire in them to help others.

“That is what I’m doing.”

Thompson knows what it’s like to live with depression, and the bravery and honesty required to come out the other side.

Growing up in a remote community in regional NSW, he witnessed domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse.

This led to his own self-destructive behaviour, including a breakdown in 2011, which threatened to destroy his life and football career.

Thompson hit out at Twitter trolls for criticising Roberts after reports emerged that he checked himself into a rehabilitation facility.

James Roberts is working hard to overcome his mental health issues after checking himself into a rehabilitation facility back in May. Picture: AAP Image/Mark Evans

Twitter was flooded with inappropriate comments under the story about Roberts’ ongoing mental health issues.

This prompted a furious Thompson to respond, calling trolls a “disgrace”.

“If someone is out there in a dark place suffering by themselves and they see comments like that attacking someone for going to a rehab centre, what do you think that is going to reinforce to them?,” he said.

“They will think, ‘I don’t want to put my hand up and ask for help if I’m going to get attacked’.

“That is why I had to say something.

“It was so disappointing seeing some of the comments.

“That shows how far we have to go as a society when we still have that stigma with people commenting and having these opinions.

“It really hurts to see people continuing to criticise others for coming forward about their mental health.

“It is a sewage out there with people’s comments, but they are not held accountable so they can put that out there.

“But my main concern is about James. He is a champion bloke with a big heart. I’ve got a lot of time for him.”

Thompson plans to take on a full-time role with his Mindset Project initiative when he retires from football.

“I couldn’t do anything else because I know what it means to me and how much it helps people,” he said.

“Everyone that goes through depression or has a mental illness and come through the other side, you know the fight that people have to go through these battles.

“It is the toughest thing you will have to go through in your life.

“That is why I’ve always been so passionate, and it is why I will never stop being passionate.”