AFL great Wayne Schwass speaks about mental illness on the Border

The former North Melbourne and Sydney Swans star was in Wodonga on Friday to talk about his struggle with depression. He said the illness was debilitating and controlled his life.

“It was just an existence - a really difficult existence,” he said.

“Depression took all of the colour and all of the things life had to offer out of my life.

“I lived in a very grey environment, when I say that, on a beautiful summer's day I didn’t feel the warmth of the sun, didn’t recognise the beautiful colours of the flowers.”

Schwass spoke with Lavington Panthers footballers during training on Thursday night and also addressed about 150 people at the Hume Bank annual luncheon. The event focused on men's mental health, raising $10,000 for Friends of Nolan House.

Schwass said he hid his struggle for 15 years and wished he had spoken about it sooner.

“I think the more we have open, honest, non-judgemental conversations about a really difficult set of illnesses, it goes some way toward normalising it,” he said.

“We lose far too many people to suicide everyday in this country.

“I’ve had those thoughts, fortunately it never got to that stage, but I am reminded everyday of the importance of mental health and open conversations about mental health.”

Schwass wanted to de-stigmatise the use of medication in dealing with mental illness – arguing it was no different to the way asthmatics or diabetics managed their conditions.

He said medication was part of a “holistic” approach incorporating health professionals, lifestyle choices and exercise.

Hume bank chief executive David Marshall said he hoped the event would spark a conversation on men's mental health.

“Wayne's story is quite inspiring,” he said.

“His courage in talking about it is as great as his courage on the sports field.”