Ian Thorpe on his mental health: I don’t feel alone anymore

Olympic legend Ian Thorpe has revealed how he is helping to equip teenagers with the mental health skills he wished he had when he was on top of the sporting world.

Covid wrought havoc on the mental health of the world but Olympic champion Ian Thorpe counts the fact we can talk about it as one of his greatest wins yet.

The Woollahra resident and board director of youth mental health service ReachOut has been open about his lifelong battle with depression but now he’s no longer alone.

“For me, the silver lining of COVID-19 has been seeing our community becoming more comfortable with the idea of being vulnerable, asking for help and seeking support,” Thorpe said.

“We are seeing conversations around mental health and wellbeing becoming normalised, and communities rallying together to support each other through COVID-19, bushfires, floods, drought, and the challenges of the everyday, but we still have a long way to go.”

Thorpe, who has lived with depression since he was a teenager, said he was currently in a great place.

Our Thorpie was the golden boy at the Athens Olympics but few knew about his mental health struggles.

“I’m really well now,” Thorpe said.

“I’ve gone through mental health challenges at different times in my life. Sometimes it’s the toughest of times that build the most resilience.

“I am now equipped with coping strategies, self-help tools, professional support, and support from family and friends to better navigate my own mental health journey.

“Being able to open up and be vulnerable has been so important for me and I am grateful for all the support systems I now have in place.

“I think it’s important that I’m open about my experience with depression because people who have lived experienced with mental-ill health, like I do, can help to support young people on their journey to better mental health.”

Thorpe received help for his depression and now he’s encouraging other young people to do the same. Picture: Jonathan Ng

ReachOut provides an invaluable resource to young people aged 25 and under with online forums and resources leading many to take the step to get professional assistance.

It’s an asset Thorpe wishes were available to him.

“Looking back at my own mental health journey, my teenage years were, at times, hard to navigate but swimming became a form of meditation for me,” Thorpe said.

“Being able to swim and the repetition that came with that, and the responsibility of turning up and participating in something, was really beneficial for my mental health.

“On the flip side however, being an Olympian came with its own set of challenges – the competition, the limelight and the immense highs were sometimes followed by periods of lows. It’s important to acknowledge that mental health is not linear and there will be setbacks and challenges along the way.

“Experiencing depression as a young person was tough, especially before digital mental health support was readily available.

“I would have loved to have access to online support, like that at ReachOut, because it bypasses so many of the common barriers to help-seeking, such as stigma, self-reliance and accessibility issues, and provides information, resources and pathways to support in a really accessible, stigma-free and non-judgmental way.”

Thorpe lead the charge to take on ReachOut’s Laps for Life fundraiser which culminated this month with 6000 participants swimming a combined total of 60,000km and raising an incredible $2 million.

We share the deeply personal stories of locals who took up the challenge.

Jack Toohey at McCallum Pool in Cremorne. Picture: John Appleyard

Jack Toohey, Kirribilli

When high flying video production company owner Jack Toohey’s business took a dive during the pandemic, things quickly began to unravel.

“Whenever anyone would ask me how I was I would never say ‘good’ or ‘bad’ I’d always say ‘busy’,” the 29-year-old explained.

“So when the first lockdown affected my business, I faced not knowing who I was when I was not being held together by ‘busyiness’ tape.”

Mr Toohey was subsequently hospitalised five times due to panic attacks and attempted self-harm.

He was eventually diagnosed with borderline personality disorder by a psychiatrist at Royal North Shore Hospital.

“That was a really scary and confronting thing. I had this new definition placed on me. I wasn’t busy anymore – now I have borderline personality disorder,” Mr Toohey said.

Mr Toohey embraced the help on offer.

Meanwhile, his business is more in demand following the momentary pandemic induced lull.

“As a business person, as someone always busy, someone who has all my stuff together, people had this vision of me. Oh he has it all planned out, he has everything sorted, he just knows what he is doing,” Mr Toohey said.

“Speaking about fact I hit those rock bottom moments then did the work to get back to where I am now normalises the fact you can be anyone, any age, race, any standing in a business – you could have a nice house and still be really struggling.”

Jack Toohey has not only had success managing his mental health but now his business is thriving again too. Picture: John Appleyard

As part of his recovery, Mr Toohey embodied the old adage of taking one day at a time.

“On an individual mental health journey it can seem like climbing a mountain but really it’s just about getting out the door,” he said.

“You don’t need to be at base camp of the mountain if you’re feeling bad, it can just be about getting out, getting sun on your face and taking a ten minute walk.

“There are some days you want to hide under the doona and that’s OK – you’re absolutely able to give yourself that but it becomes a problem when it’s a daily thing that drags on for weeks or months.

“It’s about taking that first step – it’s as simple as getting outside and then one day you might climb the mountain.”

Stephanie Long at Roseville Park. Picture: John Appleyard

Stephanie Long, Roseville

It was only when psychology student Stephanie Long began her course at Macquarie University that she suddenly understood the mental health struggles she’s experienced as a teenager.

Ms Long’s search for answers lead her to ReachOut’s website where some of the resources prompted her to seek a referral to a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with bipolar 2 disorder and anxiety.

“It was quite difficult at first dealing with the stigma of people saying, ‘oh I’ve only heard of people who have this diagnosis acting really negatively’,” Ms Long said.

“But I managed to seek professional help that was just so really, really helpful.

“Now, I’m a very functional person.”

Functional is an understatement as the high achieving 25-year-old has already completed a law degree with honours and is on the brink of finishing her psychology degree, also with honours.

She hopes to use her personal experience and qualifications to work in the social justice space including advocating for youth mental health initiatives.

In the meantime, she volunteers for ReachOut including acting as moderator on the online forums.

“People can anonymously post things like, ‘I’m feeling really down’ or ‘hey, is it normal to feel this sad?’,” Ms Long said.

“While I can’t give them medical advice, I can give them resources that explain when to seek help.”

David Gason at Bondi Beach. Picture: John Appleyard

David Gasan, Vaucluse

Former representative rugby player David Gasan knows all too well the toll mental health can take on young men.

Mr Gasan, 45, who runs investment firm Bamford Capital, said he noticed it was when the athletes he played alongside on Malta’s national team for seven years retired that the cracks would start to show.

While he personally did not suffer a mental health battle, after witnessing what his teammates went through and as the father of two little boys, Mr Gasan is passionate about advocating for youth mental health initiatives.

So when he heard fellow former athlete and eastern suburbs resident Ian Thorpe was promoting ReachOut’s Laps for Life fundraiser in his role as patron, the Bondi Salties swimming group member didn’t hesitate to dive in.

“Whilst we were playing, there weren’t many problems. The strength of a rugby squad is amazing. It’s when you stop,” Mr Gasan said.

“When you hang up your boots, it’s almost like you expire. I think it was the biggest shock for a lot of people.

“Having seen first-hand how people I was close to really struggled when they stopped playing, I wanted to do something to help promote mental health.”

Mr Gasan said he’s found an incredible sense of community amongst the Bondi Salties with many of his fellow swimmers supporting the cause.

“The benefits you can get out of swimming are incredible in both the ocean and pool,” Mr Gasan said.

“I think ocean is better in many ways though. You get that release of endorphins, that salt water effect and being in the presence of marine life which for me has a great effect on my wellbeing.

“I strongly encourage others to take the plunge, everyone is welcome.”

Olympic legends like Thorpie say speaking out about mental health makes you a champion.

Thorpie’s tips for combating depression

Exercise makes a real difference to my energy levels and helps me feel better about myself.

Small and very achievable practices like breathing exercises that bring you into the moment can be really powerful.

Talking to friends, family and professionals has also really helped me. Sometimes you just want someone to vent to, listen to you and acknowledge how you’re feeling.

Know that support is available and actually access it.

How to get help

To access youth mental health resources visit reachout.com

If someone’s life is in danger, call 000.

For 24/7 crisis support call:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Donations are still open at LapsforLife.com.au

Originally published as Ian Thorpe on his mental health: I don’t feel alone anymore