Sydney Swans star Buddy Franklin is returning to football training, saying he feels “strong” after taking time out to deal with mental health issues.
Buddy and fiancé Jesinta Campbell have been open about his struggle with depression.
The Age reports that Buddy now believes that he made the right decision in coming forward to ask for help, right before last year’s finals season.
“I was really struggling,” Franklin said.
“I put my hand up and said I needed help and I’m so glad I did it. I did that, I took some time away and it was the best decision I’ve made. And that’s the biggest thing for anyone to do, to put your hand up and go, ‘yeah I need the help.’
“If you are struggling I definitely recommend that you ask for that help, because it will change your life, definitely.”
Buddy said the last three months have been “really hard … but I’m feeling happy, healthy and I just got back from a nice holiday overseas. And it’s good to be back in Sydney.”
He thanked Jesinta who supported her troubled fiancé throughout his ordeal, including after one media outlet urged her not to marry Buddy this summer, lest their children also be cut down by depression.
“I’ve got such a great support network around me, in my partner, my family, my friends and the football club have been terrific through this tough time,” Buddy said.
“The support’s been amazing.”
Jesinta told Fairfax newspapers over the weekend that being in the public eye made “the whole process more difficult” for the couple.
“This is something that has required a lot of privacy and, unfortunately, we haven’t really been granted that,” she said.
“I think, looking back on it, yes, it has hindered his recovery and his well-being, and my well-being too.”
