THE AUSTRALIAN REPORTS YOUNG AFL STAR NEEDED MENTAL HEALTH BREAK

June 2022

Ted Noffs Foundation says we can do more to protect our stars
All Media Room

AFL star Bailey Smith’s drug-related suspension, and subsequent mental health issues, highlights the damaging pattern of public vilification when high-profile individuals are accused of illicit drug usage.

“It’s not uncommon to hear of sports stars using illicit substances, sadly, and those who are caught; it’s often easy for us to vilify them in the public square,” said Ted Noffs Foundation Chef Executive Matt Noffs. 

‘Rather than holding young athletes to an unrealistic standard or as a reflection on the competitive culture of professional sport, this debate should be redirected to a broader conversation about where, when, and how early intervention is deployed.’

Noffs adds “it’s important to remember there are many different reasons why someone uses drugs, and we can be doing a lot more to reduce drug use and to increase the safety around young people and how they’re exposed to drugs”. 

Read the full article here:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-star-says-mental-meltdown-followed-grand-final/news-story/4ea52997fb363f696d0afd3467c1a4fe

Photo credit: Nicki Connolly – The Australian