Nathan Schmook
MENTAL health campaigner Wayne Schwass says he is confident Geelong forward Mitch Clark can handle the new expectations on him after a triumphant return to form on Thursday night.
Clark, who booted six goals against Adelaide at Simonds Stadium in his second NAB Challenge match, quit Melbourne almost 12 months ago after he was diagnosed with clinical depression.
Schwass, who also battled depression through his 282-game career with North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans, said Clark appeared to have the foundation for a successful new chapter in the AFL.
"I'm confident with the time Mitch spent away, he now understands a lot of the trigger points … and a lot of the things he can implement in his day-to-day life," Schwass told AFL.com.au's First Bounce.
"He's got a very supportive football club and I've got a fair bit of confidence that he's in a really good place.
"The expectations are really only external. He's achieved his greatest goal, and that was to play a game of footy again when 12 months ago it was the furthest thing that would happen."
Schwass, who praised Clark's courage in walking away from the game to focus on his health, said the 27-year-old would inspire other people battling mental illness.
"Looking at his results from last night and watching a bit of it, he seems happy and I think that's the most important thing," he said.
"The powerful thing here is Mitch will give a lot of inspiration and courage to other people in all walks of life who might be dealing with it.
"It's terribly hard, it's challenging, but I think this will be felt far and wide throughout the community."
Clark, who booted six goals against Adelaide at Simonds Stadium in his second NAB Challenge match, quit Melbourne almost 12 months ago after he was diagnosed with clinical depression.
Schwass, who also battled depression through his 282-game career with North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans, said Clark appeared to have the foundation for a successful new chapter in the AFL.
"I'm confident with the time Mitch spent away, he now understands a lot of the trigger points … and a lot of the things he can implement in his day-to-day life," Schwass told AFL.com.au's First Bounce.
"He's got a very supportive football club and I've got a fair bit of confidence that he's in a really good place.
"The expectations are really only external. He's achieved his greatest goal, and that was to play a game of footy again when 12 months ago it was the furthest thing that would happen."
Schwass, who praised Clark's courage in walking away from the game to focus on his health, said the 27-year-old would inspire other people battling mental illness.
"Looking at his results from last night and watching a bit of it, he seems happy and I think that's the most important thing," he said.
"The powerful thing here is Mitch will give a lot of inspiration and courage to other people in all walks of life who might be dealing with it.
"It's terribly hard, it's challenging, but I think this will be felt far and wide throughout the community."
