Former Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has bravely opened up about her mental health struggles and revealed she almost took her own life earlier this year.
The former World No.4 posted a lengthy Instagram post on Monday (June 13) evening, disclosing her experience.
In the heartbreaking post, she pleaded with her followers to seek professional help if they were experiencing suicidal thoughts, as she had.
Her Instagram post starts: “I almost jumped off my 26th floor balcony and took my own life.”
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“Will never forget the day. Everything is blurry. Everything is dark. No tone, no picture, nothing makes sense … just tears, sadness, depression, anxiety and pain.”
She discusses the day in which she attempted to take her own life while hoping by revealing her experiences it will help others seek help.
She continues: “April 28th. Will never forget the day, I just wanted the pain and the suffering to stop. I pulled myself off the edge, don’t even know how I managed to do it. Getting professional help saved my life.
“This is not easy to write but I have always been open, honest and vulnerable with you all and I deeply believe in the power of sharing our stories to help us get through things and to help each other.
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“I am writing this because I know I am not the only one struggling. Just know that you are not alone.”
The now Channel 9 commentator has been an outspoken advocate for mental health and domestic violence.
In 2017 she released her autobiography Unbreakable where she discussed her career as well as years of physical and mental abuse from her father.
She concluded with an important message to her followers of self-love and to keep fighting.
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She said: “Don’t be ashamed of what you are feeling. It’s ok to feel this way and you can come back from it. It’s possible, just keep believing.
“Love you all and here is to fighting and surviving to live and see another day. I will be back stronger than ever.”
Dokic’s bravery was commended by many in the sporting world.
German tennis coach Sascha Bajin commented on the post: “Takes a lot of courage and strength to show your real emotions and open up about something this dark. You’re an inspiration to me and lots of others.”
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Australian Olympic cycling champion Anna Meares wrote: “You are enough. You are worthy. Your pain will heal. Be kind to yourself and if you can't lean on those who can for now. We need you. We love you. You're not alone. You will find peace. Hang in there."
On Twitter, French tennis player Alizé Cornet’s comments praising Jelena Dokic at the Aus Open earlier this year resurfaced.
Cornet brought Dokic to tears when she called her an ‘amazing player and an amazing commentator’.
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Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Reach out. It's the brave thing to do.
Lifeline:13 11 14
MIND: 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans: 116 123.
CALM: Outside London 0808 802 5858, inside London 0800 58 58 58.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Jelena Dokic. colaimages / Alamy.Topics: Australia, Tennis, Australian Open
