Former St George Illawarra enforcer Dan Hunt always tried to make an impact with every hit-up and tackle he made on the football field.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nowadays the 29-year-old is more concerned with positively impacting on the lives of individuals dealing with mental health issues.
Hunt was diagnosed with type 2 bipolar disorder in 2012 and is now an NRL State Of Mind ambassador.
Closer to home he is creating awareness around mental health and breaking down stigmas by supporting events such as Walk of Pride and the Mount Keira Challenge.
Hunt played 150 NRL games for the Dragons before a debilitating knee injury ended his eight-year playing association with the club in July this year.
Retirement hit him hard and there were some ‘’dark times’’, but Hunt has come out the other side a ‘’better man’’ intent on using his own experience to help others.
‘’You have got to face those demons and problems head on because there is a light at the end of the tunnel,’’ Hunt said. ‘’It is not weak to speak. You have got to put your hand up and ask for help and say that you are struggling.
It is not weak to speak. You have got to put your hand up and ask for help and say that you are struggling.
- Dan Hunt
“It truly takes a stronger person to do that as opposed to sitting there suffering in silence or wearing that mask every day….because once you ask for that help or put your hand up when you are struggling, you can get that help and it makes a massive difference in your life.’’
Hunt credits the Black Dog Institute for helping him recover from his darkest days.
‘’They helped me get the help I needed and get those coping strategies and tools to make sure I’m living that well balanced life and dealing with problems as they come,’’ he said.
‘’Part of my role with the NRL as a State Of Mind ambassador, we worked with other great organisations such as headspace, Kids Helpline and Lifeline.’’
Hunt’s passion is promoting ‘’help seeking’’ strategies to ensure those struggling get the help they need.
On November 22, the inaugural Mount Keira Challenge ambassador will do just that by promoting the Fearless Outreach charity, which helps people recover from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
‘’Fearless want to stress the fact that you don’t have to have been in a war zone to have PTSD. Anyone that goes through a dramatic event in their life can suffer from this, but the good thing is it is a condition that you can totally recover from.’’