An incredibly brave Bailey Smith has spoken about spending a month in a psych ward before his move to Geelong.

The star midfielder was selected as an All-Australian for the first time on Thursday night, after a spectacular first season at the Cats.

But it came after a difficult final 12 months at the Western Bulldogs, where he had to rehab an ACL injury and deal with the scrutiny of a looming trade.

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Speaking at the AFL Awards, Smith bravely went in-depth into his personal battles before joining the Cats, admitting for the first time he needed medical assistance, voluntarily spending a month at a Melbourne hospital.

“It was about a year ago I got out of a psych ward – I was in Epworth Camberwell for like four weeks. I got a couple of hours out a day, and I spent that training,” Smith said on Fox Footy.

“I went through a really dark time.

“Yeah I didn’t think I’d get, I suppose, to the other side.

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“I’m super grateful to be here through the support of my family, my manager Robbie being there through the shocking times. I know it’s just an injury but until you experience it and have a sense of identity sort of taken away from you and sort of go through some teething issues with moving clubs and I don’t know, outside noise and still trying to just grow up and rehab a knee. I’m super grateful to be on the other side of it.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world. But certainly surprised to be where I am today, yep.”

He added: “I’ve never said that before.”

Bailey Smith speaking at the AFL Awards.Source: FOX SPORTS

Smith was congratulated by Fox Footy’s Mark Howard on being so willing to open up in front of a large room of people.

“It was hard (going into the psych ward). But it was something I sort of had to do,” Smith said.

“It was obviously voluntary to go in. I still see my psych today. It sort of just helps me.

“I sort of initially felt, not weak but emasculated a little bit needing to reach out for help.

“I think I sort of just changed my mindset from you know, if you have an injury you have to rehab it in the gym or whatever. If you have an injury mentally, it’s just rehabbing it and keeping on top of that. Like going to the gym for your fitness, I’m going to the gym for my mental fitness.

“The word gets thrown around a lot these days – mental health. I suppose it’s an excuse in some cases. It’s not a sympathy, ‘poor me’ thing. It’s more to raise awareness you can put your hand up and yeah. It’s a tough period but wouldn’t change it for the world.

“It always makes sense in retrospect – just know whatever dark period you’re going through, one day I guess it will make sense.”

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He concluded: “If we can normalise that (treatment of mental health), the better we can see the community become, both young men and young women.

“It’s been pretty surreal to be where I am now – there’s so much work to be done. Smell the roses while you can but I’ve just got to keep going.”

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