Matildas star Mary Fowler reveals mental health battle in new memoir Bloom
Matildas star Mary Fowler has revealed she once contemplated suicide during her darkest mental health struggles, opening up about her battles in a new memoir.
The 22-year-old footballer, Olympian, model and now author is releasing her book Bloom on Tuesday, detailing the mental health challenges that nearly saw her quit the game entirely.
Speaking to Stellar magazine, Fowler said she wrote the kind of book she wishes she could have read as a teenager, candidly discussing her struggles with mental health.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“One night, I got closer than ever before,” Fowler writes in Bloom. “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.”
The rising star says she seriously considered walking away from football.
“I was having a bit of an identity crisis, trying to deal with the expectation to perform and struggling to navigate a difficult work environment,” she revealed.
Fowler told Stellar she has since sought help from mental health professionals and credits her support network of family, friends and partner, NRL star Nathan Cleary.
The memoir hits shelves on Tuesday as Fowler continues to kick goals both on and off the field.
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Originally published on 7NEWS
