Depression among rugby players has been ranked alongside concerns about the judiciary and concussion, and the International Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol wants the issue addressed before the 2015 World Cup.
"The game is doing so much around the physical health of the professional player, and we very much appreciate this. However it is our belief that the prevalence of depression and feelings of despair is significant amongst professional athletes, and that the mental health of the professional rugby player both during and after his playing career is an area we need to put more resource and focus into," Nichol, who is also the New Zealand Professional Rugby Players' Association chief, said at the recent international conference in Dublin.
"We challenged the conference to ensure that by the 2015 Rugby World Cup the game can put its hand up and say that more than any other sport we understand the issues associated with the mental health of the elite player and that we have the screening, education and support programs in place to help those who need it."
Depression has received limited publicity in rugby circles in recent times and it was almost never spoken of before former All Black Sir John Kirwan broke the mould and mentioned his struggles with the illness during his playing days.
The current Blues' coach was knighted this year for his services to rugby and mental health awareness, and has also penned a book on his battle with depression.