Fremantle midfielder Nathan O’Driscoll has bravely opened up about his battle with anxiety, revealing he had contemplated taking his own life in the midst of “deep depressive states”.

The 23-year-old, who has played 40 games across six seasons at the Dockers, said he felt it was the right time to speak up about his own experience in a bid to help others going through their own mental health challenges.

In a heartbreaking post to Instagram on Wednesday, O’Driscoll detailed his struggle with anxiety over the past four years.

“I wasn’t going to post this, but with the recent focus on mental health around the league, it feels like the right time,” O’Driscoll posted on Instagram alongside images of teammates, friends and family. “Over the past four years, I’ve had some incredible highs, but also some very low moments. I’ve struggled with anxiety, a constant need to feel like I belong, and always putting others before myself.

“There have been times where I’ve fallen into deep depressive states and three separate times where I’ve been extremely close to committing suicide.”

O’Driscoll, who has been confronted by multiple injury setbacks throughout his AFL career, said he decided to share his story because “speaking up matters”. “No one is there to judge you, every person I’ve opened up to has supported me in ways I never expected,” he said.

“From the outside, it might look like I have everything, but what’s going on internally can be a very different story. Everyone is dealing with something, and it’s okay to not be okay.

Dockers players were quick to voice support of their teammate, with many sharing purple and red love hearts in the comments. Cross-town rivals West Coast also showed their support with a heart emoji.

“Love you mate,” Fremantle vice captain Caleb Serong wrote, while defender Brandon Walker wrote “love ya Drizzle”.

O’Driscoll’s younger brother Aiden, who was forced to medically retire from the AFL due to concussion, said: “We all love you Nath.”

“I’ll always be here for you, the best big brother anyone could ask for,” he said. “You’re such a good person bro.”

The candid post follows calls from players, including Geelong star Bailey Smith and Western Bulldogs defender Rory Lobb, for a men’s mental health round in the AFL following multiple incidents over the past month.

Last week, Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson lost his brother Jaryd. Days later, Carlton’s Elijah Hollands suffered what the club later labelled a “mental health episode” against Collingwood at the MCG.

Hollands was admitted to hospital days later as his brother and teammate Ollie taking to social media to thank the Blues and wider football community for the support his family had received.

“It’s incredibly challenging watching your own brother go through something like this but the amount of support that we have received has been overwhelming and as a family we will be forever grateful,” Ollie said.

Smith was among the first players to speak out, declaring: “I think it’s about time the AFL gets a men’s mental health round”.

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