Openly gay Olympic diving champion Matthew Mitcham fears Australian sport is a "long way" behind the rest of society in addressing homosexuality and depression.
Mitcham has launched his Rio Olympic countdown at this week's inaugural Gold Coast Grand Prix after finding the right life balance.
It followed a battle with well documented issues, including a 2011 crystal meth addiction.
Mitcham says openly talking about his depression battle had helped, along with a growing profile out of the pool with a successful cabaret act and Dancing with the Stars TV stint.
"In the last five to 10 years athletes have only just started to come out and speak about depression," Mitcham said.
"It's good that athletes finally feel comfortable enough to take about but we need to put into place infrastructure to ensure they feel supported."
Mitcham was encouraged by other sporting stars such as the NRL's Broncos fullback Darius Boyd and the AFL's Mitch Clark of Geelong speaking up about their depression battle and increasing awareness.
The issue was sadly again highlighted in the NRL after three under 20s players died within three months this year.
However, Mitcham believed they were just scratching the surface on the issue in Australian sport.
"Australian sport has always been a long way behind in addressing mental health - it is only just catching up," Mitcham said.
"The more we talk about it the more it breaks down the stigma.
"That's what we need. The more normal the less fear, less anxiety and less prejudice you will have.
"I guess that's why I have been so open."
Mitcham wondered why it was such a surprise to the public that elite athletes could suffer from depression.
"It's a massive issue everywhere. It would be silly to think it would be less so in sport," he said.
"There is so much pressure.
"You feel you have your state or country's hopes riding on you.
"And if you have an injury then that sense of identity gets taken away from you, it's quite jarring."
Mitcham said he received a "wonderful welcome" from peers when he came out ahead of his stunning Beijing Olympic 10m platform gold triumph in 2008.
It was in contrast to the stance of AFL star Jason Akermanis who in 2010 urged gay players to stay in the closet because the game wasn't ready for them.
Mitcham said attitudes toward homosexuality in Australian sport had come a long way since but still had to be addressed.
"We are getting a lot more equality in the wider community but there is still fear (for gay athletes)," Mitcham said.
"There are so few comfortably out and proud athletes in sport.
"I think (Australian) sport is a bit more conservative than the community but it is getting there."
The inaugural four-day Gold Coast Grand Prix resumes on Friday with the men's 10m platform and women's 3m springboard events.
