Whilst his Carlton teammates were fully focused on a 2025 AFL season that promised so much after last year's eighth-place finish, Harry McKay was experiencing a phenomenon that is sadly all too common with adult men: the absence of happiness and the guilt that can often come with it.
Ahead of his impending return to the Blues' side for their Gather Round game against West Coast in Adelaide this weekend, McKay revealed to listeners of the eponymous 'Ben and Harry' podcast that he stepped away from the game to undertake a mental health break.
"In late Feb, I started feeling in not a great place mentally," McKay said.
"The most challenging part of that was me thinking I should be feeling the way I was. Everything in my world was in such a great place, and that's what made it scary. It was really irrational to feel like that.
"As that was progressing, I was feeling worse and worse, and I felt like I had to put on a facade and pretend to be okay when I really wasn't.
"That was really hard as someone who would hang their hat on being stoic, turning up and pushing through. I had to put my hand up and say I needed some help."
McKay, as have so many other public figures dealing with mental health illnesses, said reaching out for support was the right move from the beginning.
"The moment I did that, the love and support has been so beautiful from my partner, family, the wider football community and definitely from everyone involved in my footy club ... Everyone's ability to shed some light on what's been happening and a bit more understanding has been really important.
"I knew it (the support) would be great, but it has blown me away, how loving and caring and supporting everyone has been. Knowing that there are so many people who care and love you and put your arms around you makes a world of difference."
If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health struggles, please reach out to any of the following free services, most of which are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week:
• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online
• Suicide Call Back Service: Call 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online
• MindSpot: Call 1800 61 44 34
• Medicare Mental Health: Call 1800 595 212.• MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78 or chat online