Content
Andrew Johns should be applauded, says USC expert
Andrew Johns’ confessions of alcohol and drug use over 14 years and his battle with depression should be applauded, not condemned by media commentators, says University of the Sunshine Coast adjunct professor John Mendoza.
Mr Mendoza said the former Australian rugby league captain had shown great courage to admit his recent drug arrest in London was not an accident, and that he had used alcohol and illicit drugs for much of his playing career.
“To admit he has battled depression for the past seven years is even more reason to commend him for his frankness,” he said.
Mr Mendoza said it was important to recognise that excessive use of alcohol and the use of illicit drugs were societal problems not confined to elite footballers.
“Lawyers, dentists, doctors, even politicians use, and in some cases abuse, alcohol and other drugs. There are many reasons why people use substances and they often include an inability to cope with the pressures of life," he said.
"We need to understand that elite athletes, particularly those who play in the domestic football codes, are under enormous pressures on a day-to-day basis.
“They begin, as Andrew Johns did, to face those pressures as very young adults and they are not necessarily prepared for it. We should also recognise that mental illness is the most common form of disability among people under 35 years of age.”
Mr Mendoza said the NRL, ARU and AFL, in recent years, have taken their responsibilities for developing the players as people seriously.
“To call for players to be kicked out of their sport will only result in more harm,” he said.
“They need support and access to services to equip them for the pressures and demands of their profession, and when they do falter or develop a mental illness, they need to have access to quality services, not be treated as lepers.
“There are a lot of people getting very worked up about Andrew Johns' statement, making harsh criticisms and calling him to be sacked from his
public roles.
“They need to remember what happened with former NSW Liberal leader John Brodgen and ACT Police Commissioner Audrey Fagan," he said.
Mr Mendoza was the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Council of Australia (2004-7) and the Australian Sports Drug Agency (2000-2004).