AFL players and executives have shared their experiences coping with mental health challenges during the pandemic in a roundtable discussion co-hosted by life insurer AIA.

AIA Australia CEO Damien Mu, Essendon Football Club CEO Xavier Campbell and Hawthorn Football Club player James Worpel were among those who took part in the Beyond the Boundary forum.

“As executives and business leaders, we have a tendency to work harder, and go deeper,” Mr Campbell said. “But the pandemic really forced us to slow down.”

Former AFL player Shane Crawford says the roundtable will help many out there who are struggling with mental health challenges.

“People speaking up, coming out and saying they’re struggling, are helping so many others,” Mr Crawford said.

The roundtable came away with the following key insights:

• There’s no shame in talking about your feelings
• A mental toolkit or regular practice is extremely important
• Social connections are more important than ever
• We need to allow ourselves to be vulnerable
• Leaders must lead by example
• Silence the inner critic

Click here for more on the discussion.