Former AFL star James Hird speaks about his drug overdose for the first time.

James Hird has opened up about reaching breaking point when he took an overdose of sleeping pills, saying he was in deep clinical depression.

The former Essendon AFL player shared that he was “not ashamed” to have asked for help when he was at his lowest point, in his first column for the Herald Sun.

It is the first time the former Bombers coach has commented publicly since he was taken to hospital in January.

Hird spent five weeks in a mental health facility and he said it was life-changing.

Listen: Does the media have a responsibility to report on suicide?

“Everyone has a breaking point and I reached mine after years of continual stress,” he wrote in the column.

“I am not ashamed to say that I needed the care I received and, without it, I do not know where I would be. Depression is more than just sadness.”

In a time when suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged 15 – 44, it is all the more important that men like Hird promote the benefits of seeking help.

Hird’s overdose came after his central involvement over the previous five years in the Essendon supplements debacle.

The Essendon great said he would rather go through the horrific facial injuries he suffered during a 2002 match than the deep clinical depression again.

Hird admitted that it took him almost two years to "truly accept" he could not recover from his mental health problems on his own.

"My first call to beyondblue in 2015 was an admission I needed help but it took until January 4, 2017, when I took too many sleeping tablets, to truly accept that I could not dig myself out of this hole," he said.

"Certainly, it (his time in the facility) was no holiday camp but provided a supportive, welcoming, safe and caring environment and allowed me to receive the treatment I needed."

Hird paid tribute to his wife Tania, calling her the strongest person he had seen or witnessed.

"Her unconditional, all-encompassing love, positivity, strength and ability to keep rising to the challenges that have been put in front of our family has been extraordinary," he said.

"Over the past four years, I have been short-tempered, distant, hard to live with, rude at times and ill.

"Tania, my children, my extended family and friends have loved, supported and cared for me when I didn't deserve their support.

"It is the unconditional love and care alongside the professional attention that has given me a second chance at life. I am an extremely lucky man."

Essendon is clear of the supplements saga and this season welcome back 10 players who had missed last year because of doping bans. James relinquished his role as head coach in August 2015 after intense scrutiny.

"The Essendon theme for this year is about their comeback story. I can't wait to watch the comeback for many reasons," he said.

"But mostly to see the smile on the Essendon supporters' faces ... bring on 2017 and the year of the comeback."

If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, Mamamia urges you to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.