A toxic culture of denial pervades rugby, but the sport must be more honest with itself about players’ mental wellbeing
The interview with Kearnan Myall last week prompted an extraordinary reaction. The former Wasps forward’s searing account of being driven to the verge of taking his own life, in part because of the unseen pressures as a professional rugby player, attracted sympathy from around the world and prompted messages from significant quarters both inside and outside the game.
Those who took the trouble to show their public support for Myall included current members of England’s World Cup squad, World Rugby officials, the International Rugby Players’ Association, former World Cup winners, numerous ex-internationals both from England and elsewhere and many current players, some from other sports. There were also heartfelt messages from hundreds of people with experience of depression who felt intensely grateful to Myall for telling his story.
Written by Robert Kitson
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/aug/27/rugby-union-players-mental-illness-rfu under the title “Stop the suffering and ditch the lip service to mental health in sport | Robert Kitson”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
