‘I want to live’: Ex-AFL player opens up on suicide attempt
Former AFL star Majak Daw has regrets about the evening he attempted to take his own life, but he hopes his story can help others get through hard times.
A week before Christmas in 2018, Daw attempted to take his own life on Bolte Bridge in Victoria, falling into a body of water that was 40 metres deep.
Majak Daw speaks about his suicide attempt. Dos and D
Daw, who became the first Sudanese-born player to be drafted when he joined North Melbourne in 2009, revealed the candid details of the events that happened that day when speaking on the Dos and D podcast this week.
“When I jumped off the bridge, I think I was like 40 metres deep,” he said.
“I started, because it was so far, drinking and swallowing water. And I was like, ‘Nah, no way, I want to live’.
“I regretted it straight away. I tried to grab the rail and it was just too late.”
Daw suffered severe injuries to his legs and hips but managed to swim to the river banks before members of the public alerted police of the incident.
After being transported to hospital, Daw learned that his pelvis was fractured and would require extensive reconstructive surgeries over the coming days.
While he cannot recall how the night unfolded in its entirety, Daw does remember those who helped him and how the bridge had several cameras due to multiple suicide attempts happening there over the years.
“I was wearing these Asics runners and I was asking my partner at the time or some of my friends, ‘Where’s my shoes?’” Daw recalled.
“(They said) ‘Did you forget, they’re stuck in the bottom of the mud in the Yarra River’. My hips were clamped for a week, just to keep it together.”
The 35-year-old revealed doctors considered placing a metal piece in his back and had fears that he would never be able to walk again.
“It just gives me perspective in terms of whilst you’re in a coma and relying on people to make a decision for you, they made the right decision,” he said.
Daw managed to return to the AFL in 2020 and called time on his career in 2022.
He admits hearing others reflect on his story and how they’ve been impacted has helped inspire him to continue discussing the importance of mental health.
“I was so nervous, I genuinely was sweating bullets,” Daw said.
“We came into the auditorium and said hi to the boys .... I am so sorry to so many individuals that I broke their hearts.
Daw is an extremely popular member among the Kangaroos' playing group nna\cdesilva
“I didn’t know how much I meant to people or how strong our friendships were.
“I struggled with social anxiety for a period of time, even when coming back to the club because people are curious. They want to ask a question without being rude.
“Having a lot of people come up to me saying they lost a sibling through mental health or suicide, I am grateful. I just want to keep pushing this message. It is never that bad. The sun will rise tomorrow, won’t it? Yeah, it will.
“One of the biggest inspirations was my partner when I found out she was pregnant with my son. I didn’t want to be a dad in a wheelchair, I wanted to be running around with my son. That was one of my inspirations to get back walking.
“My son, he was such a miracle child. I love him so much.”
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000
