TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses mental health, suicide, and depression. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed she experienced a near-suicide attempt earlier this year.
The 39-year-old former world Number Four took to Instagram on June 13 to emotionally share her story, alongside a selfie of herself crying.
“28.04.2022-I almost jumped off my 26th-floor balcony and took my own life. Will never forget the day. Everything is blurry. Everything is dark. No tone, no picture,nothing makes sense…..just tears,sadness,depression,anxiety and pain,” she wrote.
Jelena went on to detail the past six months and how they’ve impacted her health.
“The last six months have been tough. It’s been constant crying everywhere. From hiding in the bathroom when at work to wipe away my tears so that nobody sees it to the unstoppable crying at home within my four walls has been unbearable.
Jelena posted this selfie alongside the post.
(Credit: (Image: Instagram))“Constant feelings of sadness and pain are just not going away and my life has been shattered. I blame myself,I don’t think I am worthy of loving and I am scared.
“I also know that I still have so many things to be grateful for and then I start to hate myself because by feeling this way I feel like I am not grateful because I mustn’t be since I want to end it all. Such a vicious cycle in my head,” she explained.
The author wrote about experiencing such intense emotions for months led to her “almost jumping off my 26th-floor balcony on April 28th.
“Will never forget the day,I just wanted the pain and the suffering to stop,” she said.
Luckily, Jelena sought professional help and has been working on healing.
“I pulled myself off the edge, don’t even know how I managed to do it. Getting professional help, saved my life.
The former tennis player split with her partner of almost 19 years in January.
(Credit: (Image: Instagram))“This is not easy to write, but I have always been open,honest and vulnerable with you all and I deeply believe in the power of sharing our stories to help us get through things and to help each other.
“I am writing this because I know I am not the only one struggling. Just know that you are not alone. I am not going to say that I am doing great now but I am definitely on the road to recovery.
“Some days are better than others and sometimes I take a step forward and then a step back but I’m fighting and I believe I can get through this,” she penned.
Finally, Jelena listed what she believes in after her experience.
“It’s ok to feel what I am feeling. It’s ok to feel sad just keep fighting and come back. That’s what I am trying to do and that’s what keeps me going. Don’t be ashamed of what you are feeling. It’s ok to feel this way and you can come back from it.It’s possible,just keep believing,” she wrote.
“Love you all and here is to fighting and surviving to live and see another day. I will be back stronger than ever. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️.”
In January this year, Jelena and her partner for almost 19 years, Tin Bikic, announced they had broken up.
The former tennis star broke the news on Instagram with a photo of them together with a rip edited between their faces and a caption that explained: “After almost 19 years together, Tin and I have decided to go our separate ways.
“Sometimes these things happen, people grow apart, and it’s for the best.”
The former tennis star went on to ask her followers to refrain from making any negative comments and keep “nasty comments based on nationality and religion” to themselves.
“This has nothing to do with that, and it never did. Negative comments don’t help anyone, especially me so please be respectful and kind,” she added.
Jelena has sought out professional help.
(Credit: (Image: Getty))Jelena confessed that she would be lying if she told fans she was doing well, but said that she will be putting all her efforts into healing and processing the pain and trauma of the split – or “die trying”.
She also revealed that she fought for the relationship until the end, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to save it.
“I am hopeful that there is still happiness and love somewhere out there waiting for me,” she shared.
“This is hard, I am in pain, I am hurt, I am lost and right now it’s all about just being able to get out of bed in the morning and putting one foot in front of the other.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
