Australian swim great Grant Hackett to seek help for mental issues

Former Australian swimmer Grant Hackett

Sydney: Australian Olympic swimming great Grant Hackett says he will seek treatment overseas for mental health problems after what he called "the toughest week of my life".

The 36-year-old, who went into hiding after his brief arrest last week following a family bust-up, released a statement thanking "mum and dad for helping me through the toughest week of my life".

"I know I have some mental health issues and I am seeking help here in Australia and I will be also going overseas," he said in the statement released late Tuesday. In 2014, he checked into a US rehabilitation clinic to treat an addiction to sleeping pills.