Tom Boyd has opened up about his battle with mental illness for the first time as part of a new national campaign by headspace, targeted at young men.

Boyd stepped away from the game in July 2017 to receive treatment for clinical depression and has today spoken of his experience, encouraging others to take the time to look after their mental health.

The 22-year-old said if it wasn't for the support the of his teammates and club psychologist Lisa Stevens, he's not sure where he would be. 

"I was seeing a psychologist from the club, who was an amazing support for me and quite honestly I'm not sure what would have happened if she wasn't there,” he said in a video for headspace.

Boyd said the Club’s on-field success in 2016 “probably covered up a lot of the cracks that started to appear in my mental health,” and said that panic attacks while driving was the moment he knew he needed to take action.

"I was really struggling with quite a bit of stress, and though I didn't know it at the time, a bit of anxiety and really not feeling great about myself.

"I started suffering from quite bad insomnia and spent probably a month to six weeks without really sleeping at all.

"The real moment where my mind started to turn was having panic attacks when I was driving and the physiological effects of your heart racing, sweating, can't concentrate, feeling dizzy and that was a really challenging period of time in my life.

Boyd’s message was simple; there is help out there.

"I was really open with all of my teammates I spoke to leading up to the time where I took some time off and they were really supportive," he said. 

"The club and the players and my mates have been unbelievable in this regard and a large part of the reason I got through this and got through it really well."

“Now I can say to myself I’m not feeling great, let’s go and do something enjoyable, let’s take the dog for a walk or get the camera out or go surfing.

“My mental health has hindered me more than any physical injury I've sustained in my life and I've had multiple surgeries. I really had no idea of some of the techniques you can use not only to help with mental health issues but also to prevent them.”

One in seven men aged between 16 and 24 experience depression or anxiety each year, yet only 13% seek help. The National Youth Mental Health Foundation’s campaign aims to educate young men that maintaning their mental health is just as important as their physical health.

For more information visit headspace.org.au.