Flying after the darkness by Melanie Whelan
Commonwealth Games javelin gold medallist Kathryn Mitchell’s toughest battle has been the inner turmoil she experienced early in her career. Mitchell is ready to speak publicly about that dark place, the suicidal thoughts. Mitchell does so, not now she has won gold, but because she feels ready to open doors and give voice to what is largely a silent issue.
THERE was a dark place, far from the from the glittery and shiny gold of the Commonwealth Games, Kathryn Mitchell chose to revisit. Mitchell did so, not wanting to be lured back into the darkness, but to learn how far she has flown.
What Mitchell read in old diaries was powerful and shocked her. Mitchell knew there would be the suicidal thoughts but the extent to which she had detailed that dark place was overwhelming. For so long, the thoughts had been enclosed in her diaries and packed away in boxes.
Mitchell’s perseverance in struggles with injury and her changed mindset in approach to her game were well-document and praised leading into last month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Then Mitchell won javelin gold and tales of her journey, the emotion in her final throw – knowing she was a gold medallist – captured the attention of the nation.
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