An end to the strong, silent type
It is men’s health week and mental health continues to be a focus, as the country tries to tackle appalling rates of suicide and smash the stigmas attached to mental illness.
All Blacks backs George Bridge, Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane spoke to RNZ about the challenges they’ve faced and the tools they use to keep their minds healthy.
The All Blacks were visibly upset after being dumped out of last year’s World Cup, and Crusaders wing George Bridge turned to familiar faces to help.
‘‘Stuff like that can impact your life hugely. I’ve been pretty fortunate to have a really good group of people I’ve had around me since day one,’’ he said.
‘‘My brothers, my mum and dad and I’ve got my best mate living in Auckland. They’re people I can talk to about anything and everything and let it out.’’
Lienert-Brown said it took time to learn to deal with the pressures of being a professional athlete, such as injuries or missing selection.
‘‘At the start of my career all those things went through my mind. I spent a lot of time worrying about uncontrollables, but it’s just a waste of energy and can really bring you down. I know now that I can only control what I can control and that’s turning up to training, having a positive attitude and emptying the tank every time I play.’’
Blues outside back Rieko Ioane said having a healthy head is as important as having a healthy body.
‘‘As professional rugby players [mental health] it’s a huge part of the job.
‘‘Having the mental health to bounce back from non-selection or an injury, and that sort of thing is every day for us, is crucial. We know that if you have a good healthy mind and you’re thinking clearly and your emotions are in balance, then that’s going to benefit you and the team.’’
He said the myth of the strong silent type must be shattered.
‘‘That stigma of having to be a tough guy and bottling your emotions up has become so apparent over the last few years and that has to change. ‘‘Players, I would hope so, are now comfortable enough to talk about their problems and that’s got to be a good thing. Mental health is extremely important in our game and our communities.’’
Lienert-Brown agreed and is encouraging men to open up, be vulnerable, and share the load. ‘‘I’ve got a circle of people that I really trust. They’re the people I can talk to when I’m down and I’m my most vulnerable with them.
‘‘Being able to comfortably express how you feel is really important. That’s one thing we struggle with, especially as men in New Zealand. We don’t like to talk, it’s seen as a weakness if you do, but I see it as a strength.’’
Growing up on farm near Gisborne, Bridge spent time around plenty of strong men, but he says the country must continue to talk about the mental health of farmers.
‘‘The whole drought situation in Hawke’s Bay and other parts of the country. It’s tough times for those farmers. Growing up in [Gisborne] on the farm we had plenty of droughts.
‘‘Hopefully this new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition can allow those farmers to go catch up with their mates and have a beer at the pub or whatever, as you can get pretty bloody isolated out on the farm and it get pretty lonely.’’
Ioane said having more Pasifika and Ma¯ ori coaches in top level rugby would also make a difference.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.