Australian tennis great Jelena Dokic has opened up on her mental health struggles in a harrowing post on social media, saying she will be “back stronger than ever” after considering taking her own life earlier this year.
Dokic, in a post on Instagram on Monday night, gave a raw account on her battle. She started by recounting the day she “will never forget” in April.
She said the post was “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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“Getting professional help saved my life,” she said.
Dokic said the last six months had been “tough”.
“It’s been constant crying everywhere,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram caption.
“From hiding in the bathroom when at work to wipe away my tears so that nobody sees it, to the unstoppable crying at home within my four walls has been unbearable.
“Constant feelings of sadness and pain are just not going away and my life has been shattered.
“I blame myself, I don’t think I am worthy of loving and I am scared.
“I also know that I still have so many things to be grateful for and then I start to hate myself because by feeling this way I feel like I am not grateful because I mustn’t be since I want to end it all.
“Such a vicious cycle in my head.”
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Despite the battles of the last six months, Dokic said she wanted to share her story to inspire others who are going through similar struggles.
“I am writing this because I know I am not the only one struggling. Just know that you are not alone,” she said.
“I am not going to say that I am doing great now but I am definitely on the road to recovery.
“Some days are better than others and sometimes I take a step forward and then a step back but I’m fighting and I believe I can get through this.
“It’s OK to feel what I am feeling. It’s OK to feel sad, just keep fighting and come back. That’s what I am trying to do and that’s what keeps me going.
“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.”