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Its unfortunate that the term "mental health crisis" was used as this has colored the conversations that have followed in a simple 'black and white' manner.
It may well have been a 'crisis' of sorts but this did not make it an 'acute crisis'. The crowd saw what it saw (the shanked kick, running around seemingly unaware) and can be forgiven for their concern and wanting answers. The media pile on (looking for fault and someone to hang) however has been unforgivable in my eyes - and this forced the AFL to act given the optics of what unfolded and for having their own lack of expertise around such matters exposed.
We have no idea what support plan CFC staff were working to in collaboration with Elijah and his family and other health professionals involved. We know that this was not the first time he has struggled in-game. The plan may well have been to allow him to persist through his struggle even if this menant that we would effectively be a man down. This is consistent with the MH Act and practise which is to intervene in the least restirctive manner unless there is consensus around imminent acute risk ( which is where duty of care overides all else). This is a 'strengths'based approach that priortizes everyones right to self-determination and participation - anything less potentially becomes discriminatory.
The plan was potentially aimed with a long term outcome in mind that Elijah could work through his struggle rather than simply being pulled from the ground ( which would severely erode his self-belief). That it didnt quite work is sad and upsetting. This happens in the MH field all the time however. We intervene too quickly and harshly because we are either 'risk averse' or too little and too late with sometimes more tragic outcomes.
No matter, how many full-time professionals the AFL looks to employ in the future, these same delicate clinical and ethical dilemmas will have to be considered and worked through.
My own fear is that what happened is far more prevalent in elite sport than we think, we just dont obviously see or come to know about it. It is inextircably intertwined with elite settings and performance.
Until we know all the facts, and we never will, I will support the CFC and its staff on this matter.
Like many of you I am far more heartbroken by our broader and current predicament, which has been of our own making.
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Forza Azzurri!!!
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