RICHMOND forward Reece McKenzie has detailed his battle with depression, saying it left him unable to leave his bedroom for several days.

The second-year big man on Monday night posted on social media to thank fans for their support as he tackled some mental health problems.

McKenzie has taken leave from the club this year and said he was unsure if he would play football again this season.

The 20-year-old said it was only just recently that he discovered he suffered from anxiety.

“It started off as little things like (being) afraid to talk to certain coaches or trainers, feeling anxious around certain players, trying to avoid people in general,” McKenzie said.

“And then it progressed into way more serious things like panic attacks, unable to leave my bedroom for multiple days and not even being able to respond to all the messages and calls on my phone that I received during that time, as that is also another thing that I struggle with.”

McKenzie, who was taken with pick No. 77 in the 2014 national draft, said the past two years have been “really difficult”.

Richmond has given the Northern Knights product its full support to deal with his mental health issues.

“I don’t want to go into specifics because I don’t want to release really sensitive information but just know that it has affected me to the point where I have suffered spouts of depression for weeks at a time here and there,” he said.

“I don’t drink or do drugs thankfully so I am grounded in myself to see and recognize the issues I have and the effect they have on me.”

The 197cm goal kicker, who is the son of 1987 Carlton premiership player Warren McKenzie, said he would not give up on his footy dream.

“No matter how hard it gets or how low or how anxious I get, I will not give up until I can be the best footballer I possibly can be, because there is nothing else more in the world that I want more,” he said.

“Thank you Richmond Supporters …. you are some of the most passionate supporters I have seen in any sport and for some of you to even know who I am still humbles me.”