Surf legend Layne Beachley opens up on her mental health battles

Women’s surfing champ Layne Beachley has opened up about one of the darkest periods of her life, revealing it was TV presenter Johanna Griggs who helped get her back on track.

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In her darkest hour, consumed by thoughts of taking her own life, women’s surfing champ Layne Beachley “phoned a friend” — former Australian swimmer and TV broadcaster Johanna Griggs.

Opening up on one of the darkest periods of her life in 1996, Beachley has revealed how it was Griggs who helped get her back on track.

At the time, the seven times world champion surfer was battling chronic fatigue syndrome, and after suffering terribly for months, she reached out to Griggs, who had also endured the illness.

Australian surf legend Layne Beachley pictured at Freshwater Beach. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

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Griggs recommended Beachley get counselling as well as seeing a naturopath.

Beachley, an R U OK? ambassador, said it was important to reach out to close friends and family when you are suffering, as well as reminding people to check in with loved ones who may be struggling.

“It may feel safer and more comfortable to put on the happy face and pretend everything is great,” Beachley said.

“Deep down you may be struggling, suffering, crying out for help without possessing the courage or the network to get help, but that’s where R U OK? come in. They provide you with the network of support.

“But it all starts with the courage to have the conversation. If you can’t have the conversation with yourself, it’s important to have someone in your life that has the courage to ask you, are you okay?”

Johanna Griggs, who supported Layne Beachley through one of her toughest times. Picture: Seven Network

Beachley (right), pictured with Winter Olympic snowboarder Torah Bright at a celebrity surf event in Manly. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Griggs, who is a Beyond Blue board member, described Beachley as a “phenomenally strong, genuine, amazing individual”.

“She is physically strong, incredibly focused, but she has also taught herself how to be mentally strong,” Griggs said.

“That is a great message to anyone who is suffering any form of mental health issues, in that you can learn to take that control back by learning different coping strategies.”

Layne Beachley, with husband INXS musician Kirk Pengilly, who was a huge support to her during a depressive period.

Earlier this year Beachley also said she suffered a depressive period and it was her husband INXS guitarist Kirk Pengilly who came to the rescue.

“Kirk checked in with me for three or four days after recognising I was in a depressed and numb state,” Beachley said.

“I still had the same level of emotion and fear and sadness that was associated with the first conversation we had, so I was grateful he continued to check in with me, to make sure I was on the road to wellness.

“If he didn’t keep checking in I may have slipped back in to a deep, dark place and chosen to stay there as long as I felt it necessary to be there.

“Having the will to be the best in the world, I also have a strong will to keep myself ostracised.”

R U OK? ambassador Layne Beachley says it’s important people reach out when they’re struggling. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Beachley said it “takes time” and a series of processes to get better.

Today, she does a lot of motivational speaking about how to overcome challenges and is chairman of Surfing Australia.

In recent years Beachley has also noticed the impact that social media can have on athletes and their wellbeing.

When she went to the London Olympic Games in 2012 as an athlete liaison officer, the “first social media Games”, she saw how an athlete’s interaction with social media affected their performance.

“It was interesting measuring the athletes’ performance based on their social media engagements,” Beachley said.

London Olympics 2012, Australia Vs Spain, Laurie Lawrence, Layne Beachley and Steve Waugh turn up to watch the Boomers

“For example, we witnessed swimmer Emily Seebohm’s disappointment [missing out on gold] and how she admitted to being distracted by Facebook and Twitter.

“Alternatively, we saw Anna Meares and Sally Pearson both win gold medals, choosing to disengage from social media three months before London.

“Some base their self worth on how many likes they receive or their level of engagement from social media, but that’s not true love and connection. It’s not true meaningful communication.”

Originally published as Surf legend Layne Beachley opens up on her mental health battles