Elijah Hollands’ father Ben and brother Ollie have shared emotional messages of support for the Carlton midfielder amid his ongoing mental health battle, as WorkSafe Victoria confirmed it is assessing whether the AFL club may have breached occupational health and safety laws following his recent hospitalization.
The 23-year-old Hollands was admitted to hospital on Monday, April 21, 2026, four days after an erratic performance described by Carlton as a “mental health episode” during their Thursday night loss to Collingwood. The club confirmed his hospitalization in a statement released the same evening, requesting privacy for the player and his family.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday morning, Ben Hollands — who played eight games for Richmond in 1999 — shared a portrait of his son in Carlton colours, writing: “This is my beautiful boy. For anyone in the midst of healing… You are loved. You have a unique and defined purpose. You are seen whole. I know who my son is — and I will lift him up until he is restored in full.” He urged others to “encourage them, affirm them, and love them” when supporting someone struggling with mental health.
Later that day, Ollie Hollands, who played alongside his brother in Thursday’s match, posted a childhood photo of the two brothers on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support received from Carlton, Blues supporters, and the wider AFL community. “There are no words to describe how grateful we are for all the love and support Elijah and our family have received,” he wrote. “It’s incredibly challenging watching your own brother move through something like this but the amount of support that we have received has been overwhelming and as a family we will be forever grateful.”
The family’s public messages came as WorkSafe Victoria confirmed it had received a notification regarding Carlton Football Club and was assessing whether any occupational health and safety obligations under Victorian law may have been breached in relation to Elijah Hollands’ mental health episode. WorkSafe did not confirm whether a formal investigation had been opened, stating only that it was “assessing the matter” in line with its standard procedures for workplace safety notifications in the sports and recreation sector.
Under Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, employers — including sports clubs — have a duty to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes psychological health, meaning clubs must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm from work-related stress, trauma, or mental injury. WorkSafe Victoria has previously investigated sporting organizations over concerns related to athlete welfare, mental health support systems, and return-to-play protocols following psychological incidents.
Carlton Football Club has not publicly commented on the WorkSafe assessment, beyond its initial statement confirming Hollands’ hospitalization and request for privacy. The club said it continues to support the player and his family and is cooperating with any relevant processes. AFL executives have not issued a public statement on the matter, though the league has in recent years strengthened its mental health policies, including mandatory wellbeing checks and access to club psychologists and psychiatrists.
Elijah Hollands has a documented history of mental health challenges, which Carlton acknowledged publicly last year when he worked his way back onto the club’s list ahead of the 2026 season after facing off-field difficulties that threatened his career. His return was celebrated as a testament to his resilience, with coaches and teammates praising his commitment to recovery.
The broader conversation around athlete mental health in Australian football has intensified in recent seasons, with several high-profile players speaking openly about anxiety, depression, and the pressures of elite sport. The AFL Players’ Association has advocated for greater investment in mental health resources, reduced stigma, and improved post-career transition support.
As of Tuesday evening, April 21, 2026, Elijah Hollands remained in hospital under medical supervision. Neither Carlton nor WorkSafe Victoria has provided a timeline for updates on his condition or the outcome of the workplace safety assessment. The club has reiterated its request for privacy and respect for the Hollands family during this difficult time.
For official updates on workplace safety matters in Victoria, members of the public can refer to WorkSafe Victoria’s website. Carlton Football Club continues to provide match and team news through its official channels, although respecting the boundaries around player health and personal circumstances.
We encourage readers to share messages of support responsibly and to seek professional facilitate if they or someone they know is struggling with mental health. In Australia, Lifeline is available 24/7 at 13 11 14, and Beyond Blue can be reached at 1300 22 4636.