In a courageous and deeply personal revelation, Matildas star Mary Fowler has shared the profound depths of her past mental health struggles, disclosing she once contemplated suicide during her darkest moments.
A Cry for Help in the Dark
The 22-year-old football sensation, Olympian, and model details these harrowing experiences in her new memoir, Bloom, which is set for release on Tuesday. Fowler confesses that she wrote the kind of book she desperately wished she could have read as a teenager navigating her own challenges.
One night, she came closer than ever before to ending her life. In an excerpt from the book, she writes, 'In that moment, I didn’t follow through. But I did sit there for most of the night pleading for anyone up above who would listen to please just take me.'
Navigating Identity and Pressure
The rising star's battles were so intense that she seriously considered walking away from football entirely. She describes facing an identity crisis while simultaneously dealing with the immense pressure to perform and the difficulty of navigating a challenging work environment.
Fowler has since sought professional help and now credits her robust support network, including her family, friends, and partner, NRL star Nathan Cleary, for helping her through those tough times.
Kicking Goals On and Off the Field
The release of Bloom on Tuesday marks a significant milestone for Fowler, who continues to excel both as a world-class athlete and now as an author. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience and the importance of seeking help.
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
