Matildas Star Mary Fowler Bravely Shares Suicide Struggle

In a powerful revelation, Matildas superstar Mary Fowler has opened up about her terrifying battle with suicidal thoughts that began when she was just 17 years old. Now 22, Fowler details this harrowing experience in her upcoming book, Bloom.

Fowler, who was playing for Montpellier HSC in France at the time, reached a devastating low point where she came dangerously close to taking her own life. "One night, I got closer than ever before," 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."

Fowler's mental health struggle was fueled by a "sense of loss" from having grown up too fast and being isolated from her family and friends. She even began self-harming as a way to cope with her emotional pain. However, Fowler believes this experience ultimately changed her for the better, bursting the bubble of her football world and making her more grateful for life.

Throughout her recovery, Fowler has found immense support in her boyfriend, Penrith NRL star Nathan Cleary. "Something I really appreciate in our relationship is that although we're both professional athletes, most of our talk is about the mental side," she says. "Nathan has been so helpful with that. He is almost like a role model for me."