Hamish McLachlan and Anita Frawley. Picture: Supplied

This article discusses mental health issues, prescription drug use, suicide and other material that some people may find distressing. For immediate support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 to access a 24 hour hotline. You may also visit beyondblue.org.au or call the Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 4636

ANITA Frawley has opened up on the battle of her late husband Danny and how the centre developed in his name is helping thousands of young people every year.

Danny Frawley, the former St Kilda captain and Richmond coach, died by suicide in 2019 after a battle with depression.

In the latest episode of Let's Talk with Hamish McLachlan, Anita reflects on Danny's mental health battle, how he sought help and the moment he hit rock bottom.

19:27

Let's Talk: Anita Frawley's 'mission in life' after Danny's passing

Anita Frawley opens up on Danny's battle with depression, seeking help and the work of the Danny Frawley Centre

She shares details of how the family learnt of his death, including a heartbreaking phone call she had to make to their daughter in the United States.

She also details how she was hospitalised shortly after Danny's death due to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, known as Broken Heart Syndrome.

Watch more episodes of Let's Talk here

Anita also details the ongoing work of the Danny Frawley Centre in Moorabbin, which supports 5000 youth each year to deal with issues surrounding mental health.

"That's my mission in life; I want to make a change and I'm damn well going to do it, so I don't see others go through what I've done," she says.

Let's Talk follows the successful The Last Time I Cried series in 2020, where some of the biggest names in footy opened up to McLachlan in a raw and emotional series of interviews.

Let's Talk
  • 18:28

    Let's Talk, Part II: Dani Laidley on being exposed and how footy saved her

    Dani Laidley remembers the moment her secret life became public, her brushes with the law and how footy welcomed her back

    AFL
  • 20:04

    Let's Talk, Part I: Dani Laidley on childhood, football and the weight lifting

    Dani Laidley reflects on how she juggled football with her off-field turmoil and the elation she felt when she was finally diagnosed with gender dysphoria

    AFL
  • 18:51

    Let's Talk: Bec Daniher on Neale, death and why 'there's no time for sh** wine'

    Bec Daniher opens up on Neale's battle with MND, how its brought her family closer and how they've taken control back

    AFL
  • 18:28

    Let's Talk: Olympic hero Harry Garside on why saying 'I love you' meant so much

    Boxer Harry Garside on challenging gender norms, growing up with uncertainty and battling his addictions

    AFL
  • 19:27

    Let's Talk: Anita Frawley's 'mission in life' after Danny's passing

    Anita Frawley opens up on Danny's battle with depression, seeking help and the work of the Danny Frawley Centre

    AFL
  • 18:02

    Let's Talk: Ash Barty's 'most shameful moment', how she beat her fears

    Tennis champion Ash Barty on the match that changed her life, acknowledging her fears and why she retired at the age of 25

    AFL
  • 16:58

    Let's Talk: Why Majak Daw's glad he's 'not that person any more'

    The former North Melbourne big man opens up to Hamish McLachlan on his mental health challenges, the power of truth, how fatherhood fulfils him

    AFL
  • 05:53

    Let's talk about Tex: 'Ultimate Crow', THAT mullet, and a life-changing moment

    Taylor Walker, his teammates and Mathew Nicks on a very special career

    AFL
  • 10:23

    Last Time I Cried: I kept thinking, am I going to lose my daughter?

    In the final episode of the series Hamish opens up about his daughter's diagnosis of West syndrome at 8 months old

    AFL
  • 12:20

    Last Time I Cried: 'It was a massive cry for help'

    In his second episode, Dayne Beams speaks about hitting rock bottom in early 2020 and how far he has come since that moment

    AFL
  • 12:56

    Last Time I Cried: 'He was everything to me'

    In the first episode of two with Dayne Beams, he opens up about losing his father to cancer in 2018

    AFL
  • 10:19

    Last Time I Cried: 'It's like part of you dies'

    Leigh Matthews opens up about the moments that left him speechless as a player and a coach

    AFL

>> Lifeline is an Official Charity Partner of the AFL, which provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. 

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