The Dark Side of the Game: Mental Health in Rugby

28/04/2025 11 min

Listen "The Dark Side of the Game: Mental Health in Rugby"

Episode Synopsis

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of RugbyMed: The Science of the Game, António and Carlos tackle one of the toughest topics in sport—mental health and suicide in rugby.Rugby is often seen as a game of grit, toughness, and unbreakable camaraderie. But beneath the surface, many players are struggling with pressures that no one talks about. From elite professionals to weekend warriors, the mental toll of injury, retirement, cultural stigma, and concussions can become overwhelming.💔 Inside the episode:The tragic stories of players like Dan Vickerman and Terry NewtonHow concussions and injuries are silently linked to depression and suicidal thoughtsThe toxic “tough it out” culture in rugby locker roomsGroundbreaking studies that show the scope of the problemReal-life voices of players who’ve battled through the darknessActionable solutions: from World Rugby's mental wellbeing hub to club-level change🎧 This isn’t your typical RugbyMed episode. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s a conversation the rugby world needs to have.

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