Cronulla Shark Sam Tagataese opens up on a brush with death and breaking mental health stigma

SHARKS enforcer Sam Tagataese was told from a young age that his rugby league career was written in the stars. His dream crashed, and so did he.

NRL Sharks enforcer Sam ­Tagataese was told from a young age that his rugby league career was written in the stars.

At 193cm and 110kg, the second-rower had pinned his hopes and dreams on a successful life in the limelight which would provide for him and his family. But when injuries, performance and personal issues compounded in 2012 he got into a depressive state. So bad he contemplated suicide.

“I did get to a low point where I probably did things that I shouldn’t have, when I was feeling down and I really accelerated the mood swings,” the 29-year-old said.

Injuries, performance and personal issues compounded in 2012 and Tagataese fell into a depressive state. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“And I really questioned whether my time here was worth it. It did get to that low point where at times I did think of it (committing suicide). I tried to brush that aside, saying ‘no you can’t think like that’.”

Tagataese joined the Sutherland club in the middle of the 2011-12 season and was desperate to impress.

His time at the Melbourne Storm and then the Gold Coast Titans had been hot and cold.

Despite gaining a solid reputation at the Titans as a big hitter, he struggled to nail down a spot in first grade.

“Taga”, as he is affectionately known to the Sharks faithful, admits he never understood the gravity of his mental state until he spoke to a Sharks welfare officer.

He was offered counselling but knocked it back, a decision he now regrets: “At those low points your mind can take you there so I can relate to those who go deeper and actually make an attempt on their own lives.

Tagataese has been appointed as the Sharks’ State of Mind Ambassador this year. Pic Brett Costello

“I went through my own problems and thankfully it never went as bad as other ­stories I’ve heard.”

Tagataese credits his Christian faith with giving him the strength to get through those tough times. He said his sisters and family also helped him a lot, urging him to pray for strength.

He was appointed as the Cronulla Sharks State of Mind Ambassador this year, which is effectively a go-to man for ­people at the club having mental health issues.

His appointment is part of the NRL State of Mind initiative which aims to break the ­stigma around mental health.

The attempted suicide of a friend recently fuelled Tagataese’s desire to take on the role. Picture: Jenny Evans

Tagataese is trained to be the link between distressed individuals and professional help.

Before he was appointed to the role at the Sharks he discovered that one of his closest childhood friends had recently tried to kill himself.

He admits this near-tragedy “came out of nowhere” and ­fuelled his desire to take the role. He now wants to ensure that he is there to help friends, family, teammates and anyone else in need of help.

“Acknowledge it, speak up, and realise that you are not alone because there is help out there,” Tagataese said.