“Going through school, mental health was never talked about hence why I kept it to myself and disclosed it as just being ‘tired’. Being a young person in school it is very hard not to be judged or stereotyped, and as a tall, large rugby player I didn’t want people to know that I was suffering with my personal mental health.
“Keeping my feelings bottled up inside led to me being physically ill. After speaking to my parents and teachers who advised me to see a counsellor, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My confidence grew afterwards and it allowed me to become the person who I am now.”
