Ex-rugby star Brent Pope has admitted he was “ashamed” to admit his mental health struggles to his former teammates.
“Yes, the sport I played painted a clear picture that I was an aggressive, strong rugby player and I came from a farming background. There is something about a man that can’t be vulnerable. That men have to be this stoic John Wayne of character like my father was, who just gets on with it and puts three meals on the table.
Brent was speaking on Thursday in the RDS at this year’s sold out mental health conference, which also heard from world-renowned author and expert on childhood development, trauma and mental health, Dr. Gabor Maté. As part of this immersive charity event, organised by well-being specialist Jacqueline Kyne, Newstalk’s Clare McKenna hosted a panel discussion on the mental health challenges facing Ireland’s youth and opportunities for future collaboration.
“Be that friend for somebody that they can share that problem with. I don’t want to be seen as brave or courageous for telling my story of living with mental health issues.