David Shillington retired from the NRL last year after playing 215 NRL matches.
He says attitudes towards mental health have changed since the start of his career in 2005.
"In the early days when I was playing, you would be pretty frightened to admit you’re having some mental health problems," Shillington said.
"In the last couple of years in particular, the whole environment's changed and people are really looking after themselves better.
"It's a much better culture than it was."
The former Queensland and Kangaroos prop is a 'State of Mind' project officer in Queensland.
"The response we get on social media and face-to-face with people congratulating the NRL or the ambassadors on the work they're doing, I think that's an indicator of how much society realises the size of the issue," Shillington said.
Canberra Raiders forward David Shillington in action in August 2015. Source: AAP
There are currently 29 ambassadors, including Origin stars Darius Boyd, Michael Morgan and Dane Gagai.
The program has the support of four leading mental health service providers including Headspace.
Kristen Douglas is the organisation's national manager of school support.
"I think what they're doing is a really great approach because they're going from grassroots to the elite level," Douglas said.
"They're using ambassadors to look at really good behaviours; they're talking a lot of positive messaging in the media.
"They're really leading the way and other codes are jumping on board."
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