Troy Selwood RIP

[Roobs321]

sad to hear. Adam & Scott were some of my favourite Eagles in their time at the club so I naturally took interest in Troy’s career too. He came across as a decent fellow and quintessentially Selwood in how he courageously approached the game and gave his all. Particularly feel for Adam rn, despite his different vibe and leading their own lives they were twins and must’ve shared plenty.

 

[tenderwarrior]

.. but go and see a psychologist (readily available)

Your definition of "readily available" is a bit different to mine.. it can take months and months to get an appointment, and that is making the assumption one can afford it..

 

[rogerjames]

That was bad what happened there. It was as if the dirty AFL and the media expected Hird to just take all their shit like a man. I think the dirty AFL is very lucky that things worked out well with Hird in the end.

The Afls destruction of Hird was borderline criminal & absolutely disgusting. Awful organisation.

 

[Billy ray]

now Adam Hunter also. far out.

 

[RUNVS]

now Adam Hunter also. far out.

I hope his is not suicide but given his age suicide does seem likely.

 

[Sentinel]

I hope his is not suicide but given his age suicide does seem likely.

Lifeline numbers at the bottom of the article

 

[Norwegian Blue]

Lifeline numbers at the bottom of the article

But the same article (at least, the one I'm reading) about Hunter also mentions Selwood.

 

[kickazz]

There’s a lot of healthy discourse around in this thread but there’s still a lot of misdirection. When someone is so mentally unwell that they take their own life it’s not a conversation that would have changed their path. It’s hospitalisation, it’s professional care, it’s medication, it’s all of this for more then just a few months until “they feel better”.

It’s a serious illness. The stigma isn’t about talking up anymore, it’s about genuine lifelong treatment and management.

Good points.

There's two aspects, the preventative proactive stuff and the intervention stuff.

As an analogy, you should eat well and do weight training exercise to have strong muscles and bones - it will help prevent you from breaking them. If you do break a leg though - ya gotta intervene and go to hospital for treatment.

Similar with mental health. Good diet, talking to people and all the rest can keep your mental health in check. But if it gets really bad, similar to a broken bone, you need hospital, you need intervention, you need medication.

 

[undefined]

There’s a lot of healthy discourse around in this thread but there’s still a lot of misdirection. When someone is so mentally unwell that they take their own life it’s not a conversation that would have changed their path. It’s hospitalisation, it’s professional care, it’s medication, it’s all of this for more then just a few months until “they feel better”.

It’s a serious illness. The stigma isn’t about talking up anymore, it’s about genuine lifelong treatment and management.

Yep. It's analogous to managing a condition, like diabetes.

I need to take my 'insulin' (Fluox and Quetiapine), and make sure my diet is good, I'm taking care of myself/surroundIngs and I'm getting enough exercise. That all is to get to a base level where I feel like life is bearable. Living with a mental health condition is like walking against a conveyer belt. But it is manageable with the right care (which the Gov't needs to start funding properly).

 

[Strange Cat]

I hope his is not suicide but given his age suicide does seem likely.

Lifeline links details are below the articles I have read

Seems likely

 

[name change]

I've got a friend with mental health issues. Every RUOK Day she posts a FB message like "If you haven't asked me how I'm doing on one of the other 364 days of the year, DON'T ask me today."

I used to call in sick on ruok day because I was terrified of being asked

 

[BomberManU]

The Afls destruction of Hird was borderline criminal & absolutely disgusting. Awful organisation.

There were plenty cheering from the sidelines.

 

[StCicatriz]

What you experienced at school is unusual, typically you don’t have to be listed as a parent to take a child home, kinder and pre school you do. I’ve arranged to drop off kids at home because mum or dad texts and says I am late, the kid knows me and I’ll just tell the teacher I am dropping them home.

Your school might be different.

I think treating men in a certain way (negatively) is becoming less common, I mean back to your hospital experience that’s just standard policy. Particularly if it’s public.

Typically men have been the perpetrators of a majority percentage of assaults and violence against women, kids and other men. I literally see aggressive men driving every day who tailgate and get road rage like you’d not believe. Men bring on so much of their own problems when it comes to anger and assaults etc, so I’ve got zero sympathy for them when they can’t keep their temper in check. It’s embarrassing. If its their mental health that they use as an excuse, fine, but go and see a psychologist (readily available) as opposed to acting out aggressively.

correct on the first part. never had a problem before. was weird.

the hospital one, whilst i agree it might be standard policy, its something i strongly disagree with. its inherent bias that does absolutely no good for anyone involved. we have groups trying to create a space where dads can connect with their kids but we dont do it at birth, cmon. i think thats an area that should change now. theres no reason for it. i think it will change in our life time.

the family court separation of assets is another thing that needs a massive overhaul. its far too dated and doesn't reflect modern working or family life.

i agree somewhat with the last paragraph. everything except the last sentence really. violence against women has to be our priority. the last part if a big generalisation but psychologist are not cheap or easily sought out, based off my experience with a family member. also trying to fit that in with work. if i take the scenario of some of my friends who have gone through their partners infidelity and or drug use which ended in the mother walking out, i know for a fact money is extremely tight. theres no spare cash to seek out a psych.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Enough is enough

If AFL can find 600 million for ****ing Gold Coast they can find some for well the actial players

Its a absolute disgrace. This might not be the thread for it and it needs another but im just ****ing disgusted in what the game has become right now

 

[StCicatriz]

There’s a lot of healthy discourse around in this thread but there’s still a lot of misdirection. When someone is so mentally unwell that they take their own life it’s not a conversation that would have changed their path. It’s hospitalisation, it’s professional care, it’s medication, it’s all of this for more then just a few months until “they feel better”.

It’s a serious illness. The stigma isn’t about talking up anymore, it’s about genuine lifelong treatment and management.

100%

 

[StCicatriz]

Enough is enough

If AFL can find 600 million for ****ing Gold Coast they can find some for well the actial players

Its a absolute disgrace. This might not be the thread for it and it needs another but im just ****ing disgusted in what the game has become right now

WCE have 40m in the bank, probably more now, turn millions in profit. didnt stop them asking fans for donations during the peak of covid when every was losing their jobs to protect their profit margins.

if you want to start pointing the finger maybe start with WCE.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

WCE have 40m in the bank, probably more now, turn millions in profit. didnt stop them asking fans for donations during the peak of covid when every was losing their jobs to protect their profit margins.

if you want to start pointing the finger maybe start with WCE.

I do point fingers at Eagles

The fact Brad Sheppard needs to sue us to get support is absolutely disgraceful

Ill never defend that... ever.

Its not a problem for one team. Its a 100% culturral issue across the entire competition

Fix it NOW!

Anyway your post is classless shit. Dont put words in my mouth

 

[Feerits Elf]

This piece from 2009 makes for some uncomfortable reading.

Voss pays tribute to Troy Selwood​

• by:AAP
• May 10, 2009 11:30PM

It was one of the most sickening sights of the 2009 season - or any season for that matter.

But Troy Selwood's "car crash" head clash with Richmond's Alex Rance on Saturday also led to one of the most inspirational, according to Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss.

Both players lost consciousness after colliding while contesting a loose ball in the third quarter at the MCG.

It proved a turning point for the Lions in the match - and maybe even for their season.

As a recovering Selwood looked on, the Lions reeled in Richmond to triumph by 26 points - their first away victory since Round 8 last year, and first over the Tigers in five years.

After the fulltime siren sounded, the Lions players had every reason to celebrate - but instead they rushed to acknowledge Selwood.

"Every now again as a coach you get goose bumps about different things, and I got goose bumps when I saw that," Voss said on Monday.

"I thought 'that's what teamwork is all about' - when one of your mates puts his body on the line for you and is willing to hurt himself for the greater cause.

"When you see all the guys go over to him after the game and acknowledge that effort, it is spine tingling."

Asked if he hoped the "Selwood moment" may also be season defining, Voss said: "I hope so.

"We made reference to him at three-quarter time.

"When you see a commitment like that from one of your teammates you can't help but not want to let him down."

Voss insisted that Selwood had not suffered concussion - well, not at first anyway.

"He probably got concussion from all the taps on the head (after the match) rather than the incident itself," Voss smiled.

"It's not exactly what you want after you've just been knocked on the head."

However, Voss said the incident itself was no laughing matter.

Rance had to undergo surgery for fractures around his cheekbone and eye socket, although Selwood was able to fly back with the team with a "sore head".

"We obviously hope that young Rance is okay as well," Voss said.

But Voss has adopted a "wait and see" approach before picking Selwood for Saturday night's Gabba clash with a desperate Adelaide.

Selwood's actions may have been inspirational, but Voss was keen on it not happening again.

"As a coach I can teach a better technique, not lead with the head but more of the shoulder - and I am quite serious about that," Voss said.

"That is something I have to make sure (that when you) put your body on the line, you have also got to protect yourself."

Selwood is no stranger to head knocks but donning headgear in the style of Lions legend Shaun Hart seems unlikely.

"I am sure the boys will give him a fair ribbing if he sticks the helmet on," Voss laughed.

 

[BomberManU]

This piece from 2009 makes for some uncomfortable reading.

Especially that last line.

 

[Mr Meow]

This piece from 2009 makes for some uncomfortable reading.

This is a very naive question but I'll ask it anyway.

Would wearing helmets reduce the severity and frequency of concussions? Or is it only a great help for those players who have had serious head injuries?

 

[Feerits Elf]

Would wearing helmets reduce the severity and frequency of concussions? Or is it only a great help for those players who have had serious head injuries?

Would cyclists wearing helmets reduce the severity and frequency of concussions? Or is it only a great help for those cyclists who have had serious head injuries?

 

[Macca180]

horrible

 

[Sentinel]

This piece from 2009 makes for some uncomfortable reading.

You obviously can't knock Voss for this because that was the culture/mindset at the time. To suggest the head knock wasn't the cause of the concussion (even if in jest) also shows how naive the industry was.

I think this line stands out the most: "I thought 'that's what teamwork is all about' - when one of your mates puts his body on the line for you and is willing to hurt himself for the greater cause"

You still hear it from commentators, particularly ex-players, lauding when a player jumps in front of a pack as "courageous", or when a player shirks contact "he'll want that moment again". I understand why since a huge element of the game has always been about putting your body on the line for the team, given it's a contact sport, but this mindset is difficult to overcome.

 

[Mr Meow]

This piece from 2009 makes for some uncomfortable reading.

Let me rephrase my question.

Do we know to what extent helmets would reduce frequency and severity of concussions in footy, and why isn't this something the league makes mandatory or is common practice (like mouth guards)?

 

[Duckimus Prime]

A side note of kudos to the Geelong Advertiser for reporting:
The 40-year-old took his own life after battling mental health issues in recent years.

It's been a few years now since Victoria's coroner pleaded with the media to simply use the word "suicide", rather than hide behind "Call Lifeline" etc etc. His argument, and I agree with it, is that mental health is best improved through discussion. Creating the impression that suicide is unmentionable doesn't help at all.

Any mental health advocate would call out The Geelong Advertisers reporting as horrid.

"took his own life" is just about the worst way of reporting it. If someone is going to report on the actual death it would be much better to use "death by suicide". Similar to how you would report "death by heart attack" or "death by cancer". Using terms like "took his own life" or "killed himself" puts blame and increases the stigma in the situation.

Communicating about a suicide - Mindframe

When communicating about suicide Mindframe supports media professionals when reporting, reinforcing the need to proceed with caution when choosing whether and when to report on suicide.

mindframe.org.au

And I'd probably also go from the guideance put together by actual mental health professionals rather than a Coroner.