I wanted to start a discussion about the mental health aspects of this affair based on Paul Gallen's recent admission. There has been a lot of discussion on these boards about the physical health risks of the supplement program, particularly w.r.t. quackery and informed consent.
While we've been arguing about the physical aspects there has been anecdotal evidence of mental health issues in the Essendon camp, but Paul Gallen (see the article below), is the first case of a diagnosed mental health problem that could potentially be associated with the handling of the case. n.b. It'd be appreciated if you kept your opinions about the validity of Gallen's illness to yourselves.
Some potential questions for discussion:
- How could the AFL/NRL anti-doping process in non-presence cases be improved in order to prevent the stress and pressure that has been placed on the players and support staff that have been involved?
- What support structures should have been / could be put in place for these people to ensure that their mental health is being looked after during such a process and whose responsibility should that be?
- What improvements could be made to the media's code of practice to reduce the impact on players and support staff who are being investigated?
- How could the EFC / AFL / ASADA have better supported the players and support staff with regards to mental health following the commencement of the investigation?
Let's try not to turn this into another thread about whether Essendon are guilty or not, eh? There's plenty of those already.
http://www.theaustra...n-1227106069002
While we've been arguing about the physical aspects there has been anecdotal evidence of mental health issues in the Essendon camp, but Paul Gallen (see the article below), is the first case of a diagnosed mental health problem that could potentially be associated with the handling of the case. n.b. It'd be appreciated if you kept your opinions about the validity of Gallen's illness to yourselves.
Some potential questions for discussion:
- How could the AFL/NRL anti-doping process in non-presence cases be improved in order to prevent the stress and pressure that has been placed on the players and support staff that have been involved?
- What support structures should have been / could be put in place for these people to ensure that their mental health is being looked after during such a process and whose responsibility should that be?
- What improvements could be made to the media's code of practice to reduce the impact on players and support staff who are being investigated?
- How could the EFC / AFL / ASADA have better supported the players and support staff with regards to mental health following the commencement of the investigation?
Let's try not to turn this into another thread about whether Essendon are guilty or not, eh? There's plenty of those already.
http://www.theaustra...n-1227106069002
JUDICIARY chairman Paul Conlon has resigned over the NRL’s handling of the Paul Gallen affair.
The NRL this afternoon confirmed Conlon had tendered his resignation and offered their thanks for his work over the past seven years.
It is understood he had become increasingly frustrated in the role, but the NRL’s decision to fine Gallen $50,000 for an offensive tweet was the final straw.
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In outlining their sanctions against Gallen, the NRL said it would speak to the NSW Rugby League about his future as Blues captain. Peponis responded by saying he felt a level of sympathy for Gallen over his troubles of the past 18 months, when the ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency investigation into the Sharks allegedly led to the club’s skipper receiving treatment for depression.
Gallen has declined to comment on reports he is suffering from depression. Furthermore, he has vowed to fight the NRL over the sanctions he received for posting a vulgar tweet in which he described the NRL as “c..ts”.
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