Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo will take a break from football as it has been revealed he is struggling with mental health issues.
"Collingwood footballer Alex Fasolo will take what is expected to be a short break from playing as he manages the challenge of depression," the club said in a statement on Tuesday night.
"Fasolo, 24, will not play against Fremantle this weekend, but take time out in the interests of his health.
"He will continue to train and prepare for football with the expectation of a swift return to playing.
"It is requested that Fasolo’s privacy be respected."
Speaking on AFL 360, Melbourne star Jordan Lewis said he believes the world of social media and a lack of filtering on social media websites is a big part of why society's mental health epidemic is worsening.
“Young players are on social media the whole day,” Lewis said.
“Players these days read everything. They read the good comments, the bad comments and everything in between.
“That has no doubt had an effect on players and their mental health.”
The news about Fasolo comes just a few days after Greater Western Sydney ruckman, Tom Downie, announced his retirement to deal with mental health issues of his own.
He is just 24 years of age.
While the situation of these players is not ideal, Lewis went on to say the awareness surrounding the issue has risen, with clubs and teammates more supportive of the issue than ever before.
“Not one player at Collingwood would look at him differently,” said the four-time premiership Hawk.
“In fact they would support that. Whereas I think back in the day a player who was going through that mental stress would just try and deal with it himself."
