Leisel Jones Discusses Mental Health Struggles After Social Media Concerns

Leisel Jones has spoken candidly about her mental health struggles, after sparking concern with a recent Instagram post.

Earlier this month, the broadcaster and Olympic gold medallist, 39, took to social media to share a worrying post, admitting she had thought about taking her own life.

The post showed Leisel sitting on the stairs at her home with tears in her eyes, while admitting, in the caption, that she had just experienced one of her ‘worst days’.

‘I just wanted to die in my sleep, I thought that would be the greatest thing I could ever hope for in that moment,’ Leisel told the Daily Telegraph.

Leisel’s post came with a second photo that showed her, the following day, having just completed a cathartic walk. 

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Leisel Jones has spoken candidly about her mental health struggles, after sparking concern with a recent Instagram post

She added that she was driven to share the candid post to highlight ‘the difference a day can make’. 

‘I was like, you know what? I’m going to post this because yesterday was really garbage and I wanted to end all of it, but today, I’ve just had the best walk I’ve ever been on,’ she said.

‘I’m going to post this just to show the difference a day can make.’

Leisel, who said she had ‘high-functioning depression’ in the post, added she was driven to talk openly about her struggles with depression, as it can affect even those who appear happy on the outside.   

‘I am really passionate about talking about it,’ she said.

‘With depression, it’s not always sad sacks that mope about – it impacts some of the most high-functioning people who get the job done and do it well and show up on time.’

Leisel’s heartbreaking post began with the simple words: ‘Stay until tomorrow’.

‘It’s one of my favourite sayings. Yesterday was one of my worst days and I wanted to end it all.’

Earlier this month, the broadcaster and Olympic gold medallist, 39, took to social media to share a worrying post, admitting she had thought about taking her own life

‘I just wanted to die in my sleep, I thought that would be the greatest thing I could ever hope for in that moment,’ Leisel told the Daily Telegraph 

Leisel’s post came with a second photo that showed her, the following day, having just completed a cathartic walk

She continued: ‘I think I have been battling high-functioning depression for a little while now and have just gone back to work with a psych.

‘In the dark moments I promise myself to just stay until tomorrow, and it’s amazing what the next day can bring.’ 

Leisel then explained that after getting through the depressive episode, she had a much brighter day over the next 24 hours.

‘Today was spectacular. I had some free time after work and went on an hour-long walk along the beach,’ she said.

‘No goals. No plans. Just enjoy the sunshine and the view. I was really missing my walking buddy @iammeagennay, but walking by myself was enough. It changed my whole perspective on things.

‘So if life has felt like a kick in the c**t lately, promise me you’ll stay until tomorrow.’

The post was met with an outpouring of support from friends and followers such as comedian Dave Hughes. 

‘Australia loves you, but that doesn’t matter. You loving life is all that matters. But not even that. Let’s just be still,’ he wrote.

‘I was like, you know what? I’m going to post this because yesterday was really garbage and I wanted to end all of it, but today, I’ve just had the best walk I’ve ever been on,’ she said. ‘I’m going to post this just to show the difference a day can make.’

Fellow Olympic legend Lisa Curry also offered a sympathetic: ‘I know how this feels, Leisel, and it’s worth staying until tomorrow. And the next tomorrow…. And the next. Remember who the f*** you are.’               

It comes after Leisel broke down last month while opening up about the night, 14 years ago, when she almost took her own life. 

The swimming legend was a guest speaker at the Albury Wodonga Winter Solstice event, where she urged people to reach out for help if they need it.

Leisel admitted she contemplated suicide in 2011 while she was on a training holiday in Spain.

But her coach at the time, and current Head Coach of Swimming Australia, Rohan Taylor, interrupted her and took her to get the help she desperately needed.

‘I did not care for my mental health whatsoever, because it was completely neglected and was not important, and even as a youngster, when I was coming up, I was told that we were not allowed to use psychologists, because psychologists were for weak athletes,’ she said.

‘So I was denied access to a psychologist as a 14-year-old girl who was going to her first Olympic Games.

‘And that was devastating to me, because I really could have benefited talking about mental health, because I did not believe I was a weak athlete. 

Anyone struggling with their mental health is urged to call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.