Wests Tigers star Taylan May has been praised for stopping a young girl from taking her own life.
The 24-year-old’s actions have been revealed by Taylan’s teammate and older brother Terrell, on a new podcast with former NRL star Josh Mansour.
Taylan has experienced his own mental health issues in recent times, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year in addition to being treated in a psych ward.
Terrell said his sibling used that experience to help the distressed youngster.
‘Some girl with the same stuff that “Tiny” [Taylan] went through, her mum reached out to us through email and letter. Her daughter was gonna kill herself,’ Terrell said.
‘Then she came to the game. Tiny found her and signed her stuff, and then apparently, her mum said after that day, she’s been the happiest person ever.’
Taylan May (pictured) has been credited with saving a girl from taking her own life
May (pictured with wife Jess) has been through his own mental health battle, which saw him treated in a psych ward and diagnosed with bipolar disorder
‘That was the day before we played, so she was gonna do it (take her own life) the next day, and then when Tiny went and signed her stuff and gave her boots, she said that was the best feeling ever,’ Terrell continued.
Terrell, the middle child in the May family, has disclosed just how impactful Taylan’s story has been for the younger generation.
‘She (the girl he saved) said she loves Tiny’s story, and how open he was about it,’ he said.
‘So yeah, we’ve had like a few people reach out to us about Tiny’s stuff and also our stuff, like the podcast helping them so much.’
Taylan May arrived at the Wests Tigers as a free agent midway through last season.
He did so after his domestic violence-related charges, which were the main reason he was sacked by the Penrith Panthers, were dropped.
His off-field issues led to him seeking professional treatment, which he said left him feeling like a ‘whole different person’.
‘I always felt different. I just didn’t know what it was and when I finally got diagnosed [with bipolar disorder], there’s like a relief off my shoulders,’ Taylan said earlier this year.
May (pictured left with wife Jess) has been gaining traction as a role model since he joined the Tigers from Penrith
Taylan was praised for his efforts by his older brother and Tigers teammate Terrell (pictured)
‘I see a therapist and I have my own psychologist.
‘For me, it was a relief because when I was young my parents didn’t understand – I felt that I was the weird one.
‘I take these tablets, I don’t touch anything else, but I feel like they’re working.
‘My wife’s helped me a lot, to be honest, she’s always known I’ve had something.’
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