The 25-year-old says in his darkest days he viewed death as an “escape fantasy” and that he would sit in his car and cry before training.

He said many other players were struggling with mental health issues but are afraid to speak out due to the tough on-field personas they portray.

"Depression in footy, it's hugely widespread," he wrote on the Players Voice website.

"I'm not a psychiatrist, so I don't know how it works, but I sort of feel like there's a bit of a spectrum.

"Obviously, I got to a tipping point, but I think a lot of people have probably gone through it and dealt with it their way - either got professional help or just managed it and moved on - or some people are still battling it really badly.

"There's just so much ignorance about it.

"People are, 'How do you explain it, Faz? Explain it to me', and I think the best way I've found to explain it is, 'Being in moments that are very neutral but just feeling, innately, so sad for absolutely no reason'. And those moments were coming more and more."

Fasolo took a break from the game this season to seek help and encouraged anyone dealing with mental health issues to speak up and get treatment.   

The condition takes no prisoners as evidenced with Buddy Franklin who missed the 2015 finals series due to overcome his own mental health issues.  

"My advice to anyone else in this situation: stop being in denial. Just go and see someone. And talk to your mates," Fasolo said.

"As soon it came out in the open - I still didn't want to talk to anyone about it, but at least things become more clear.

"Depression is a muddled, confused mind, basically, and as soon as you get some clarity and a little bit of information, half the battle's won."

To seek help for depression or any other mental health issue contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.