Shane Crawford says learning of the suicide of his brother Justin was ‘like a wild storm that’s just thrown into your face’

Hawthorn great Shane Crawford has shared his family’s heartache and reflected that “we’ve got to be better at dealing with it and trying to stop it before the worst can possibly happen”.

Hawthorn footy great Shane Crawford has opened up about the deep grief and regret following his brother Justin’s suicide three years ago.

An emotional Crawford says he wished he’d told Justin, who died at age 45, how much he was loved.

“You have days where … where you look for answers and they’re not there,’’ Crawford said.

“I was very proud of him and probably needed to tell him more.

Crawford says he wished he’d told his brother Justin how loved he was.

“I’d tell him he’s always been loved and cherished and to grow into an old man.”

Brownlow medallist Crawford said more needs to be done for those suffering with their mental health.

“It’s just like a wild storm that’s just thrown into your face and you just don’t know how to sort of move through it,” Crawford told Mike Amor and 7News.

“When I heard the news from my mother, and it took a full day for my mother to communicate with me …

“We were lucky because we had a few little notes that were left and, it doesn’t make it easier, probably not, but there were a few things there that explained a little bit about how he was feeling and a little of him explaining how much loved and thanked everyone for helping.

“We’ve got to try and stop it.

“We’ve got to be better at dealing with it and trying to stop it before the worst can possibly happen.”

Shane, Justin and their older brother Andrew grew up in Finley, in New South Wales, along with their loving mother Dianne.

Justin also played football, first at the Sydney Swans before joining Shane at Hawthorn.

From 1995-98 Justin played 46 games, kicking 32 goals.

The footy world was reeling this year after the tragic deaths of Troy and Adam Selwood.

Crawford said: “Your heart goes out to all the family and friends. I can’t wait to give him a big hug.”

New data released by health and life insurer AIA shows a surge in mental health disability claims, up from just 15 per cent of all claims in 2012-14 to 23 per cent in 2024-25.

Crawford, who appears on Seven’s House of Wellness, is joining ironman Guy Leech and ultrarunner Samantha Gash to raise money during Sydney’s City to Surf fun run on August 10.

Originally published as Shane Crawford says learning of the suicide of his brother Justin was ‘like a wild storm that’s just thrown into your face’