Wigan star Jarrod Sammut admits he almost quit rugby league after his brother’s suicide
JARROD SAMMUT admits he almost quit rugby league after his brother’s suicide.
Wigan star Sammut’s younger sibling Daniel killed himself in Sydney two years ago.
The Australia-born half-back was speaking as part of Super League’s ‘Wellbeing Round’ dedicated to men’s mental health — and opened up about his own loss for the first time.
Sammut, then playing for London Broncos, had no idea of Daniel’s struggles.
He explained: “I was having a scroll through Facebook when I saw he had popped online.
“He posted and looking back it was quite bizarre. He’d dressed himself up in a suit and tie and just made a comment of, ‘All dressed up and nowhere to go’.
“I thought possibly he’d had a disagreement with his partner and I’d just let him be. It was not until the morning when I had a conversation with my mum I learned he’d killed himself.
“It didn’t sink in immediately. It was very emotional.
“To be on the other side of the world is not pleasant. You want to be around your family during those tough times.
'LEARNING TO OPEN UP'
“I felt helpless. I was sort of kicking myself, thinking that if I had reached out or tried to have a conversation, would it have made a difference?”
Sammut, 32, has played in the UK since 2010 and strongly considered retiring after the tragedy with his brother.
He said: “I had in-depth conversations with my partner about it in the following months.
“But I have a family here so while a lot is happening back home, I still need to ensure their health and wellbeing are at the forefront.
“I can’t speak or preach about trying to make changes, or being better or doing better, if I’m not doing that myself.”
Sammut hopes to use Daniel’s story to create better awareness of mental health issues such as depression.
He added: “While it’s tragic, I’m learning to open up and speak about these things.
“I would bottle things up but now it’s something that when I do speak, it’s a massive relief.
“Unless you touch base with someone and say, ‘I’m on the other end of the phone if you need me’, then we’re not going to break down those barriers.
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“It’s something the Super League family is really trying to put an emphasis on.
“If someone like myself can spread awareness, then it’s our job to do so. If we save one life, it’s a success.”
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit Mind’s website at mind.org.uk