2016 Olympic gold medalist Tom Shields went into detail about the mental health difficulties he's experienced in the past. Archive photo via Jack Spitser/Spitser Photography
American Olympian Tom Shieldshas revealed that just over one year ago he attempted suicide in a recent Instagram post.
In the post, Shields explains what led him up to the point, how seeking professional help has positively impacted him over the last year, and thanks all of the people who have supported him. Check out the full post below (profanity alert):
The now 28-year-old wrote that he tried to hang himself before his wife gave him a call and distracted him until arriving home.
A multi-time NCAA champion with the Cal Golden Bears, Shields has gone on to lead a successful professional career that includes a berth on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team where he won a gold medal in the men’s 4×100 medley relay.
This past summer, the two-time SC World Champion won a pair of gold medals at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and followed that up with a very successful performance in the inaugural season of the International Swimming League competing for the LA Current. He won 3 races in the opening ISL season, and finished 11th in the season-long MVP scoring.
If you or someone you know has had suicidal thoughts or exhibited any of the warning signs, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website here (suicidepreventionlifeline.org) if you’re in the US.
this is heartbreaking, but i think this will help so many who are contemplating the same thing to rethink. so so brave of him…i’m in tears
ACC fan
4 years ago
You are so much more than your Swimming Tom! Sending you love and support.❤️
PJS
4 years ago
Extraordinary achievers like Tom shields who share their serious mental health challenges have such productive courage it’s Just not possible to exaggerate it. His story will likely inspire many people who think they are the only ones facing this seemingly uncontrollable level of despair now understand it literally can happen to anyone, know matter how successful you are – and it’s ok to ask for some help.
What a star.
marklewis
4 years ago
At the Pan-Am Games, he showed incredible resilience after his 200 fly race to win the 100 fly gold medal. I don’t think many swimmers could have bounced back like that.
Here is a short video of the race and finish and then Tom on the podium with his gold medal.
Tom swam at PAC Masters Championships in April. We are still talking about it. 1:39 200 fly. Everyone was honored and amazed to watch that much talent just drop a 1:39! I️ hope we get to enjoy swimming with Mr Shields for a long time to come.
Would love to see Anthony, Natalie, etc rejoin us at meets, as Nathan Adrian has done. It’s so amazing to have these swimmers in the water.
LexDad
4 years ago
Tom, thank you for opening up about this. I have a 19 year old son who has also battled with mental health issues. He is a great kid with many amazing qualities who got caught in a line of thinking.
People like you who use your platform to open up about your own challenges make kids like my son realize he is not alone in his challenges. I am incredibly grateful for your willingness to open up. Please keep shining the bright light this is you in this world. We are better with your light.
Sfb
4 years ago
Thank you for writing this
edesanto
4 years ago
As someone who lives with suicidal depression, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the guts to speak up. As a high school teacher who has worked with thousands of students over 20 years, severe depression is far more common that most people realize. Please watch out for those around you and seek help if you are having suicidal thoughts.
James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism.
Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …
this is heartbreaking, but i think this will help so many who are contemplating the same thing to rethink. so so brave of him…i’m in tears
You are so much more than your Swimming Tom! Sending you love and support.❤️
Extraordinary achievers like Tom shields who share their serious mental health challenges have such productive courage it’s Just not possible to exaggerate it. His story will likely inspire many people who think they are the only ones facing this seemingly uncontrollable level of despair now understand it literally can happen to anyone, know matter how successful you are – and it’s ok to ask for some help.
What a star.
At the Pan-Am Games, he showed incredible resilience after his 200 fly race to win the 100 fly gold medal. I don’t think many swimmers could have bounced back like that.
Here is a short video of the race and finish and then Tom on the podium with his gold medal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPmKYIEerWM
Tom swam at PAC Masters Championships in April. We are still talking about it. 1:39 200 fly. Everyone was honored and amazed to watch that much talent just drop a 1:39! I️ hope we get to enjoy swimming with Mr Shields for a long time to come.
https://www.usms.org/comp/meets/meetsearch.php?c=927457&MeetID=20190412SCSC1YY
Would love to see Anthony, Natalie, etc rejoin us at meets, as Nathan Adrian has done. It’s so amazing to have these swimmers in the water.
Tom, thank you for opening up about this. I have a 19 year old son who has also battled with mental health issues. He is a great kid with many amazing qualities who got caught in a line of thinking.
People like you who use your platform to open up about your own challenges make kids like my son realize he is not alone in his challenges. I am incredibly grateful for your willingness to open up. Please keep shining the bright light this is you in this world. We are better with your light.
Thank you for writing this
As someone who lives with suicidal depression, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the guts to speak up. As a high school teacher who has worked with thousands of students over 20 years, severe depression is far more common that most people realize. Please watch out for those around you and seek help if you are having suicidal thoughts.