Kangaroos star Angus Crichton has a simple message for those struggling with their mental health.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
The Roosters forward stepped away from rugby league prior to the 2023 season to address his mental health after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The decision proved to be one of the best of his life.
While he struggled throughout 2023, Crichton has risen this year from reserve grade to a State of Origin series victory and is eager to finish the year with a Pacific Championships victory for the Kangaroos. More importantly, he's now in an improved mental headspace and thriving off the field.
The 28-year-old is currently in Christchurch preparing for Australia’s clash with New Zealand on Sunday evening, where a victory will secure a place in next month's final at CommBank Stadium.
The physicality and aggression of Angus Crichton
Crichton acknowledges the first step in asking for help is often the hardest step but hopes his journey inspires others to seek help.
"Don't be too proud," Crichton said. "As men and as athletes we can often be too proud to seek help or look like you're weak or struggling. Sometimes it can be the strongest thing to accept you're probably not where you need to be and to get the help you need.
"Once you do that, people will respond and react differently to how you build it up in your mind. Don't be too proud, accept you may need a bit of help and that's the first step to getting better."
Crichton was at the top of his game in 2022, playing a key role in the Kangaroos World Cup victory but off the field he was in a much darker place.
The situation came to a head after the tournament when he suffered a manic episode and he later entered a mental health facility to commence his recovery.
It's been a long journey back to this point but Crichton's improved mental health has allowed him to reach career-best form. His form led to a contract extension with the Roosters while he has also found stability off the field.
Crichton runs a successful barbershop that is in the process of expanding, while his family and partner have supported him through the ups and downs.
Given where he was two years ago, it would have been easy for the forward to accept his best form had passed him by but he revealed he never doubted he'd return to the representative arena.
All aboard the Gus Bus
"I always had belief and always knew I'd be back here," Crichton said. "It was all about working hard and taking your opportunities when you get them. I didn't have any doubt I'd be back here for sure.
"I'm proud of myself and thankful for my friends and family for helping me get back here. It brings me a lot of joy and happiness seeing them enjoy me being back in this space.
"My mum and dad, my sisters, and my partner, I think you forget how much happiness and pride you can bring them when you represent your country like this."
Match: Kiwis v Kangaroos
Week 2 -
home Team
Kiwis
2nd Position
away Team
Kangaroos
1st Position
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Crichton will face a new test on Sunday afternoon when the Kangaroos take on the Kiwis in Christchurch.
It's a long way from the Young Cherrypickers for the boy from south-western NSW who dreamed of playing for his state and country.
But given everything he's gone through to get to this point, Crichton is determined to make the most of every opportunity he has to wear the green and gold.
"As a kid you dream of playing for Australia," he said. "I pinch myself now sitting here. When I was younger I was from country NSW so the rep teams we made were Riverina.
"We'd go away and play all the Sydney schools in the state competition [to try] make the state team. My little country team would get smoked every time and you'd be sitting there with your fingers crossed at the end hoping you'd make the NSW team.
"I didn't use to make those teams, to now be making the state [and Australian] team is something that little kid back when I was younger was dreaming of so it's the highest honour for me."
