Retired West Coast Eagles player Brad Sheppard to visit Exmouth to raise mental health awareness

Retired West Coast Eagles player Brad Sheppard will visit Exmouth to discuss with locals the importance of positive mental health and his career in the AFL. The visit will include a sundowner on May 16 as well as a tour of Exmouth District High School with Lifeline WA community engagement co-ordinator and volunteer crisis supporter Brooke Haseldine. Sheppard played 216 games for the West Coast Eagles and retired in December. Sheppard, who lost a close friend to suicide, said he’s keen to help break down stigmas about mental health. “I can’t wait for the trip to Exmouth,” he said. “It’s a great community and a beautiful part of Western Australia. I’m looking forward to going there, engaging with the kids, getting a tour of the school and meeting locals at the sundowner. Sheppard said he was trying to get the message out that there are support networks available. Everyone needs help at different stages of their life,” he said. “I’ve never really thought of myself as being a role model, but it’s good to be able to put that role to good use. “Not everyone has the privilege of being in the position that I’m in, and now I’m trying to give back and help out in the community. Having that opportunity is something that I’m very grateful for.” Lifeline WA chief executive Lorna MacGregor said she hoped hearing such a high-profile AFL player talk about the importance of mental health would help to reduce the stigma about discussing it.