Ryan Baird: I say what's on my mind

Ryan Baird is back at school, St Michael's College in Dublin, where his rugby journey began.

It’s an appropriate place for the launch of the new Tackle Your Feelings Schools Online Teaching app for which the Ireland and Leinster forward is an ambassador.

The 24-year-old is a two-time Six Nations winner and known, among his team-mates, as a fellow who could "come out with anything, he could come out with a question about fishing or golf. His head just goes anywhere, it’s brilliant," as Cian Healy put it last month.

"I say what’s on my mind, you know what I mean," Baird tells RTÉ Sport, as he discusses his involvement with the campaign.

"If I feel a certain emotion that somebody could relate to...I’d love to be able to use my platform to help people realise that certain things they might be feeling are felt everywhere.

"I’m lucky enough to have a platform when I’m with the national team or Leinster so I don’t mind speaking about it. Maybe I’m a voice for one or two people, 'Oh wow, Ryan Baird is feeling that, that makes me feel a little bit better’.

"I noticed over the last two or three years the stigma, and it’s a global thing, has been breaking down [around] barriers for men to talk, particularly.

"Talking with someone gets it out of your head, helps you rationalise it, realise why it’s been nagging you in your head.

"Wellness is the hot topic and the moment and I would love if the resources were as accessible to everyone and this is a nice way through the schools programme to start that.

"By giving these kids tools in first year, a huge year, third year, exams, fifth and sixth year, this is your Leaving Cert.

"You can give kids tools to start that journey a little bit earlier. If it helps a couple of people, that’s what you are