FORMER AFL player Heath Black was at Ocean Road Primary School to speak to the students about mental health on Thursday.
The talk was part of the Peel Youth Medical Service and GP down south’s plan to implement a Youth Mental Health Program next year.
It will be a three-tier program which range from information sessions to individual counselling.
Black told students not to be afraid of talking to those close to them, or professionals, if they were feeling sad or needed help.
“We are in a real window of opportunity because people are starting to understand mental health and we are starting to understand how many people we are losing to suicide – which is out of control,” he said.
“There is a few funding avenues and we are just trying to tap into anyone to get this up and running."
Black. who played 192 games with the Fremantle Dockers and St Kilda from 1997 to 2008, said talking about the problem was the first step.
“It was difficult, but when I did come out, there was a huge relief for me,” he said.
If you need more information or wish to speak to someone about depression, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.