I completely agree that the sport needs to do more for it's ex-players, particularly those that are forced to retire early. The benevolent/try assist group do fantastic work in this area, but it tends to be more focussed on the injured, and primarily is financial help.
I have witnessed first hand ex-proffesional players struggling with the reality that the only thing they have ever really known being over. I actually sat with 1 ex-super league player, watching 'his team' that he had been forced to retire from less than 12 months earlier through injury playing in the grand final. He actually broke down in tears infront of a all of his friends, and loads of strangers - awful to see.
The sad thing is that alot of the pro-players aren't necassarily the brightest of blokes - and regardless of the warnings, they do pin everything they have on being a rugby player - rugby becomes their way of life. Often rugby is the only discipline and structure in their life, let alone their only way of making a living. And, when this ends (particularly prematurely), they are left with no real foundation to base the rest of the life around. To give credit to Leeds, they are one of the best clubs at putting their players in the best possible position for life after rugby.
Unfortunately, for some, this lack of discipline and structure in their life makes it all too easy for them to get mixed up in drugs etc.... Obviously the individuals need to take responsibility for their own actions, but as a sport, we put these young blokes up on a pedastal when they are at the top of their game, the sport has to do more to cushion the blow when they inevitably fall.
The 'State of mind' concept is a great first step. What I would say though is that this support needs to be available to all the players, and not just the 'good role models', as often, it's the 'bad boys' who will need the most help.

And I'll second that.

I didn't know Terry Newton as a man, I didn't always admire his actions on the field, but I am very, very sure that he didn't deserve what happened, as his family and friends didn't. This is not to suggest that anyone is to blame, merely that not ony the RL community, but pretty much everyone else can learn from the whole thing.

Nobody with so much to offer should ever feel like they have nowhere left to turn. Very sad indeed.

I have to agree with alot that's been posted, regarding looking after the mental health of players aswell as their physical health, both are just as important.
It's a tragedy that someone so talented, and loved, can feel that this is their only option, and undoubtedly the void which was left by rugby played its part.
It should be part of all the clubs responsibilities to provide options for the players retirement from the game,(regardless of the circumstances), and obviously the players responsibility too, the career is short, and especially if you're not going to stay within the game in some capacity. College courses, degrees, vocational training, can all be done in unison with your playing/training schedule, and should be.
I liken it to the problems facing military men/women, when they come out. A loss of routine, discipline, or sense of comradarie will certainly affect your confidence and well being, this is proved time after time with ex army etc, going off the rails and feeling like they've been left high and dry.
I don't know how much support the lads get right now, to ensure they have something to look forward to when the whistle blows the last time, but it needs to be done, Terrys plight only serves to highlight that in the worst possible way.

RIP Terry, and thoughts to your loved ones right now.

Great comparison, even down to the fact that as a general rule of thumb, frontline military and rugby league players will generally come from more 'modest' backgrounds - making it real easy for them to get mixed back in with bad crowds.

It's a tough one though because the individuals have to take responsibility for themselves, although if there were more support/opportunities within the game, I think less would go off the rails.

I know of one ex-super league player, retired early through injury and got a nice big payout through the insurance, and even got money through the benevolent fund. Now this money was meant to be used to secure his future - However, with the 1 constant in his life no longer there to keep him on the straight and narrow, he suddenly found himself with empty days to fill and a large chunk of money available to spend..... Surrounded by leaches and clingers on, guess where all that money ended up.... Up his nose and in the bookies pocket....

I struggle to have any sympathy for that individual, because he made some stupid decisions, and I still see him every now and then, stuck in a rut, wasting his life away. But, that said, I still think the game should have done more with him. He was given the verdict by the docs that he wouldnt play again, and only went back to the club twice after that. The club sorted out his pay off and washed their hands of him - surely it would be better to keep him involved and doing community work/coaching school kids and instead of giving him the lump sum, pay him it in a wage. (Again, I suppose it depends on the individual though)

I agree it's sad that anyone feels this way and struggles to see a way forward but...
A lot of people in the world have to work hard at something they don't like, rather than get paid well for playing a game they enjoy. They often get told they no longer have a job at a moment's notice, never mind coming to the end of a privileged position at a time pretty well known in advance. Why spend a load of money on nursing an elitest group of paid profesional sportsmen through a career change? No-one did it for me when I was made redundant! I didn't top myself. Players in the past didn't either. Terry Newton was an individual and it was an unfortunane incident. The guy I worked with who got sacked and tried to kill himself didn't get this and he was only on about 16 grand a year! Let's have a little common sense here. He was in an incredibably lucky position and he had a personality that didn't allow him to cope. Maybe if he hadn't been a drug user he would have been better off; the drugs may well have helped exacerbate his existing mental health issues. What does annoy me though is that if someone is a so-called celebrity, then suddenly it's a tragedy; when it isn't for the hundreds of unknowns and un-privileged who have to deal with the same issues on a much more frequent basis.

Someone on the payrole at each club to mentor and guide and keep intouch with any player who for what ever reason has his career cut short,or for that matter any player who through age is at the end of his career.

A bit of education while playing helps as well. I know alot of clubs do this now but gives some other skills and interests and options for people to go into when they retire. Like diskin. Given him a motivation and provided him with a fresh challenge when the playing is over

Agree.