The 45-year old has previously spoken out publicly about his own battle with depression during an illustrious playing career at the Kangaroos and Sydney. Now he's urging the AFL to throw its support behind an illness that affects so many.
"I just think there's a need there and a real opportunity for the Nnumber one sporting body in Australia for us to actually put mental health on the agenda," Schwass told The Age’s Rohan Connolly.
"Not only within our code, given some of the pressures associated with playing and coaching and administering a hugely popular sport, but to show the Australian population that we're doing something to recognise the impact mental illness has on people not only following our game, but right around the country.
"The AFL does a great job in educating people through a number of great and worthy dedicated rounds, but for some reason, to this point we still don't have a dedicated mental health round. I think there's a massive opportunity for the game to tackle the issue in a positive sense."
Schwass believes the AFL can play a significant role in bringing mental illness out of the darkness and making players, staff and fans aware that it’s okay to speak up.
"We've got 800 players, a significant amount of coaches and administrators, and members of our own code and our own supporters are grappling with this today. I think it would be really powerful if we embraced this opportunity to send a strong message that we understand it's something that is having a big impact."
The devastating recent death of TV personality Charlotte Dawson moved Schwass to speak out again, with the need to raise better public knowledge to help those suffering in silence.
"I didn't know Charlotte, but it's terribly sad that someone feels that's the only choice they have left. And, to put it into context, we lose more people to suicide than we do on the roads,” he added.
“We have this graphic and confronting road safety campaign, for which governments deserve to be applauded, but it beggars belief in my view that we don't direct as much attention to an issue that is taking far too many people.
"At some stage, somewhere along the line, it's going to take [sporting] codes and industry leaders and politicians to understand that this is a very real issue.''
If you are struggling with mental illness remember you’re not alone, visit beyondblue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251 or Lifeline on 131 114.
