Commonwealth great Dick Tayler reveals brush with suicide

Commonwealth Games gold medalist Dick Tayler said he never thought he would be someone who would consider taking his own life. Photo / File

Commonwealth games medalist Dick Tayler has revealed how he has battled depression and had suicidal thoughts after a cardiac arrest two years ago.

Tayler, who was best known for winning the 10,000-metres gold medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, told The Country's Jamie Mackay his heart stopped for 5 minutes, damaging his brain.

The 70-year-old had been travelling with a group of people, including Keith Quinn and Paul Allison, to the unveiling of the Colin Meads statue in Te Kuiti in June 2017 when his heart went into cardiac arrest.

He was dragged from the vehicle and people worked to save his life. His friend Quinn stayed frozen in shock in the van they were travelling in.

With the help of the local publican, a defibrillator provided by the fire service and a doctor and nurse who were flagged down from the roadside, his heart restarted.

"I went 14 minutes without oxygen to the brain. A lot of brain damage was done. Not that there was much up there to damage. But thanks to the medical people my life was saved and I've been given another chance.

"Someone has a cardiac arrest and obviously the heart is a big concern - they got it going again but with not getting blood to the brain I did a lot of brain damage that has caused me a lot of problems."

The problems included memory loss and negative and suicidal thoughts, he said.

"And I can sympathise with people who have depression ... the brain is a powerful bit of machinery and if something goes wrong a lot of things just don't make sense. It can play some awful tricks and change our thoughts and feelings and how we look at things.

"And that's what it did to me and I never thought I would be the sort of person who would want to get out of this world by doing it myself."

Listen to Jamie Mackay's interview with Dick Tayler below:

Tayler's recovery had been challenging, but he was finally feeling better with the help of a clinical psychologist.

"Physically I'm in better shape than I've been in 10 or 15 years. Mentally there's a lot of work to be done, but a hell of a lot of work has been done. There is hope and all I say on the positive side is there is help out there and professional people who can help you."

He urged anyone suffering from depression or any health issues to seek help.

"Life is just so much better now and I'm feeling so good. I can remember everyone, now. She's got the brain ticked in and there's no negatives going through the system. It's good. I hope that I can help promote someone else.

"But for god's sake if you have trouble ask for help. And bloody males are the worst for anyone at it. When they have all sorts of health problems they do nothing about it."

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• The Word
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• CASPER Suicide Prevention
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.