Bailey Smith has spoken out about his mental health struggles in a candid interview, admitting he has struggled to wash his teeth after photographs of the AFL player holding a bag of white powder went viral.
After a heartbreaking grand final loss to the Demons, the Western Bulldogs star, 21, admitted to turning to partying to cope with his mental health issues.
During a stay on the Gold Coast last year, Smith grappled with crippling anxiety when a video was taken of him attempting to snort an unknown narcotic.
The video, which was shot in a nightclub, went viral on Saturday, along with a photo of the 21-year-old holding a bag of white powder.Smith and the Bulldogs later admitted that the white powder he was photographed having in the little bag was illegal.
In the aftermath of the leaked photo and video, the player admitted that he hadn’t brushed his teeth in “two days solely because of this stuff.”
The mental health advocate, on the other hand, is believed to be’relieved’ and looking forward to accepting responsibility for his conduct.
He told the Herald Sun that he had suffered from ‘chronic anxiety’ for many years, and that even simple activities seemed insurmountable.
‘I think I went days without eating, even cleaning my teeth, leaving my bedroom, I couldn’t talk to anybody,’ Smith recalled of his life following the grand final loss.
The athlete revealed that the idea of retiring from the AFL had crossed his mind, and that he had missed training due to his inability to get out of bed.
Smith said his mental health struggles weren’t an excuse for his partying, but they did provide context for why he made a “bad mistake.”
He admitted that facing the repercussions was difficult, but he wanted to show others, particularly men, that mistakes could always be used to learn and grow.
‘I’m at a point in my life where I’m embarrassed.’ I’m deeply sorry and embarrassed… ‘It’s something I’m going to have to live with,’ he explained.
‘Hopefully, I can rehabilitate my image and improve myself so that I can be a better human for those around me.’
The incident occurred during the AFL off-season, just before the 21-year-old was forced to take personal leave due to mental health difficulties.
Smith credits his girlfriend Gemma Dawkins, his parents, Bulldogs teammates, and coach Luke Beveridge with assisting him in his recovery.
While his contrition is unlikely to save him from a punishment, it may persuade the AFL to be more lenient.
Because Smith is due to begin serving a two-week suspension for head-butting, a two-week penalty is the most likely conclusion, ruling him out until Round 18.
Players receive strikes only if they fail a drug test during the season or are caught publicly taking drugs, according to AFL rules.
‘I’ve made blunders. In a statement made on Saturday, he added, “I am extremely aware of that, and I totally own it.”
‘I sincerely apologize to my family, teammates, club and sponsors, the AFL, supporters, and sponsors.’
‘I’ve made errors, but I’m determined to learn from them and do everything I can to prevent disappointing myself and others around me.’
On Monday, Smith is expected to train with the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval as usual.