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'I've struggled with my own mental health... and it got particularly dark in the last 18 months'
England prop Joe Marler has urged any men struggling with mental health issues not to suffer in silence. The 30-year-old, who has spoken out about his own battles with depression this year, has stressed there is no shame in seeking help.
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Marle, who is training with England this week but not officially in the 25-man squad to face Ireland on Saturday, can identify with the problems experienced by many men in fearing they may be showing weakness by seeking advice.
The Harlequins forward was speaking in his role as an ambassador for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), for whom he features in a new video message to coincide with International Men’s Day.
“Rugby is the ultimate macho sport, and there is a fear that if you show any sort of weakness publicly then you’re giving free rein to the opposition to take advantage of any weakness,” Marler said.
“I always worried that if I was to open up about my mental struggles that it would be used against me by opposition players or seen as a weakness by my own teammates.
Seconds out for latest round of Stander vs Farrell https://t.co/A4WAjAaqpD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 18, 2020
“There’s definitely a stigma surrounding mental health but it’s far better than what it used to be. The more players have come out and opened up about it, the less of a stigma there is around it.” Marler is seen in the video, which is available on YouTube, delivering what at first appears a standard post-match interview.
However, on closer inspection it reveals a hidden message, conveying how people can hide their true feelings. England forward Marler continued: “I’ve struggled with my own mental health for the last few years, and it got particularly dark in the last 18 months.
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“That is why I wanted to get involved in this project, to help others who feel the same as me, and try and help them understand that it’s OK to struggle and that they are not alone with these feelings.”
* Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide through vital life-saving support, impactful and provocative campaigns and collective action. To find out more visit www.thecalmzone.net
RugbyPass Offload – Episode 7 – Corbs & Co
Great to have @AlexCorbs join us this week to chat Ireland v England, Lions Tours, Tinder dates, Giltinis and his battle to overcome cancer?
iTunes – https://t.co/6wLxuVLfxw
Spotify – https://t.co/XhUN2XigYC#RPOffload pic.twitter.com/FL5bxSe8Vd— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 18, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments