Former NRL star Dan Conn has said raising mental health awareness and discussing his own experiences is his ‘calling’.
The fitness fanatic has found a new ‘purpose’ in speaking out about his decade-long battle with depression.
Daniel, 32, now wants to end stigma around mental health by speaking openly about dealing with depression and surviving three suicide attempts.
‘It’s my calling’: Dan Conn reveals he’s found new ‘purpose’ in opening up about his decade-long battle with depression and surviving three suicide attempts
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph he said: ‘I felt if I was to speak about it as a male, and in my position, I could make a bit of a change.’
‘And I realised my purpose is to lead the way in mental health awareness and physical health.’
‘I speak openly about my struggles as a suicide survivor and my 10-plus years of depression and anxiety. The positive feedback I’ve got from this made me want to pursue this as my calling.’
The tattooed hunk, who has admitted to contemplating suicide on three seperate occasions, now keeps his mental health in check with weekly ‘reflection’ periods.
Struggles: The tattooed hunk has dealt with depression for 10 years
He uses this time to ‘let the negatives go and focus on the positives coming up.’
Daniel joked, ‘[It’s] a bit like meditation without the “oohs” and “aahs”‘.
In 2015, the gym-happy lad admitted he was on daily medication to help deal with his depression.
The look of love: Dan is happily loved up with model beau Ellice Whichello
In a previous interview with the Daily Telegraph, Dan said his worst bouts of depression were between the ages of 18 and 22, but it took him a long time to seek help.
‘I didn’t really realise what was wrong with me for the first three or four years,’ he said. ‘At different times in my life, things have been pretty hard.
‘It is a disease, you have to manage it at all times. It’s pretty important to keep a balanced lifestyle.’
The fitness fanatic, who is a Wellness Director for Collective Wellness Group, has found love with model Ellice Whichello.
The fitness fanatic couple
Previously, he dated My Kitchen Rule’s Lynzey Murphey and Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattinson.
Daniel retired from the football pitch in 2011 after a career which saw him play for the Roosters, the Gold Coast Titans and the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636