Shane Charter Speaks Highly On James Hird

"For him to come forward..."


Article heading image for Shane Charter Speaks Highly On James Hird

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Shane Charter has gone into bat for former Essendon coach James Hird, commending him for telling the world he has a mental health issue.

Hird told during the week of his battle with clinical depression, first contacting beyondblue in 2015 before seeking professional treatment after a sleeping pill overdose in January.

He called the experience "life-changing" in an article in the Herald Sun.

Charter, who was at the centre of the Essendon doping saga alongside Hird, spoke highly of Hird for what he had done on the Weekend Breakfast with Seb Costello.

"It's very brave," he said on Triple M.

"For someone who's always been held in such high esteem as a professional athlete, the golden boy, someone everyone would aspire to, for him to come forward and admit that he has mental health issues and seek the help that's professionally required, that's brave."

Charter said someone of the profile of Hird conceding he has mental health issues will have a resounding influence on the way mental health is looked at, especially in men.

"I think it's something that he can actually look at now as having a more positive influence in the broader community, because mental health issues are very under-diagnosed," he said.

"As a male, and with men in general, they're very reluctant to come forward and admit their deficiencies, especially someone of James Hird's ilk.

"My hat comes off to him, and it just shows the quality of person he is."

If you are troubled by this report, or experiencing a personal crisis, you can call Lifeline 13 11 14 or beyondblue 1300 224 636, or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.

17 March 2017




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