NRL great's cause of death sparks emotional pleas
Content warning: This article includes mentions of suicide.
TV personality and mental health advocate Gus Worland has issued an emotional plea to Australians to ask for help when they need it in the wake of the sudden death of Paul Green.
The 49-year-old NRL coach was found dead on Thursday, with the cause of death later revealed to be suicide.
Police were called to Green’s family home in Brisbane after he was found unresponsive in the garage.
A police spokeswoman told the Daily Mail Australia that Green was declared dead by paramedics at the scene, saying that the circumstances surrounding his death are not suspicious.
Worland - the founder of the Gotcha4Life charity - spoke to Nine’s NRL broadcast in the wake of Green’s death, sharing a message for the nation.
Important words from @GusWorland on a very sad day. Please talk to someone. I’m always here for my Twitter friends, as I know you all are for me. ❤️ https://t.co/IWtz3uySuL
— Gavin Flanagan (@gavflano) August 11, 2022
“Seven Australian men that wake up this morning won't wake up tomorrow morning, two women, and we have people attempting suicide at such a rapid rate," Worland said.
"It was so sad to hear about Greeny, and I think this is a line in the sand as a sport and as a nation to say enough is enough.
"Let's stop talking about it, let's stop talking about awareness, let's put some action into place.
"It's all about manning up and speaking up now, not manning up and shutting up, which is what we've been told all our lives to do.
"Put your hand up if you need some help and support. That's the bravest thing you can do, ask for help when you need it.
"Why are we so good in this country at helping people, but not at asking for help? That's what we need to change."
Nine News presenter Peter Overton echoed Worland’s message during the 6pm bulletin on Thursday, calling for Aussies to speak up about their mental health.
“If you are struggling with your mental health, please talk to someone,” he began. “Ask, ‘Are you OK?’
“Take a friend for a coffee, a walk; confide in your GP.
“Share your feelings with your family.
“Just talk to someone. You might be surprised how many people you know have the same struggles.
“You are not alone.
“One of the best places you can call is Lifeline. They are there to listen, they are there to help.”
Green’s passing comes 11 months after he was sacked as the head coach of the Maroons, having been in the role, which he described as “every Queenslander’s dream”, for just a year.
As the coach for the North Queensland Cowboys, Green took the team to their first ever premiership in 2015 and stayed in charge until the end of 2020, when he was replaced by Todd Payten.
Following his departure from the Maroons, Green had been in talks with Wayne Bennett about making a return to NRL and joining the Dolphins, who enter the competition next year.
Laurence Lancini, a former chairman of the Cowboys, told the Courier Mail that Green seemed fine when they spoke just three days before his death and said they should catch up for a beer soon.
But, he said “the last few years had been tough” for Green.
“Greeny mentioned he was keen to coach again and had some options and I asked Greeny if he really wanted to go back into it again,” Lancini said.
“I said to Paul, the last club you coached, you took the Cowboys to the premiership and you took us to two grand finals. Just leave coaching behind and do something else.
“But Greeny still had that real drive. He wanted to coach again.
“Greeny has come from a position where he coached a club to a premiership and a second grand final. He has coached State of Origin. He has coached at the highest levels and I think Greeny was a bit lost and confused about where his life needed to be without coaching.
“The thing about Greeny is he was a high achiever and high achievers always want to be achieving something.
“The last few years have been a bit tough on him because he hasn’t been coaching in the NRL.
“I said to Greeny, just take your time and the right opportunity will come along.”
If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.
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