WESTERN Bulldogs utility Lin Jong will take a "short break" from playing football as he battles with mental health issues.

Jong hasn't featured at AFL level since August last year, having dealt with hamstring injuries and a ruptured appendix through the 2019 season.

He has also dealt with two broken collarbones, a fractured jaw and a ruptured ACL in a 61-game career plagued by injury.

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The 26-year-old will remain in the Western Bulldogs' training program throughout his time away from football, but will not feature at competitive level either in the AFL or the VFL.

"I'll be taking some time away from playing football due to some mental health issues I've been battling with," Jong posted on Instagram on Thursday.

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I’ll be taking some time away from playing football due to some mental health issues I’ve been battling with. Just so nothing is misconstrued I feel I have tried my best to play footy while dealing with it, but I now feel it’s the right time to make my mental health a priority. I also think it’s important to be upfront and honest, as there’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. I’d also encourage anyone struggling to speak up. I have all the support I can ask for and hope to be back playing eventually Much love x

A post shared by Lin Jong (@linjong46) on Jun 13, 2019 at 1:37am PDT

"Just so nothing is misconstrued, I feel I have tried my best to play footy while dealing with it, but I now feel it's the right time to make my mental health a priority.

"I also think it's important to be upfront and honest, as there's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.

"I'd also encourage anyone struggling to speak up. I have all the support I can ask for and hope to be back playing eventually."

Earlier on Thursday, Port Adelaide confirmed defender Matthew Broadbent will miss an indefinite period due to his own mental health issues.

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