Yep, it's a very difficult concept to grasp.
I remember having a conversation about this with former Hawk/Roo champ Nathan Thompson who had been going through his own fight with mental wellbeing issues. I'm sure he won't mind his name being referred to as he's done some great work over the years talking about his struggles with groups of people.
I found it just so difficult to fathom how this wonderful young man, with a great family, with handsome looks most men would kill for, playing in the most glamorous position at full forward for an AFL club - the money, the plaudits, the looks, the fame, the envy of all men, seemingly everything - but struggled to see the point of getting out of bed in the morning to face the day, or even of living.
There's a massive neurochemical aspect to it. Maybe some genetic components, though it may remain dormant for an individual's entire life (if they're very lucky). Perhaps a serotonin deficiency, or imbalance in other neurotransmitters like dopamine, combined with a sequence of environmental factors.
But one thing's for sure - it's killing way too many young people, both men and women. And it's indiscriminate, paying no heed to fame, power, attractiveness, wealth or perceived success.
