Rising rugby star who quit sport after trying to take his own life aims to break stigma around mental health

Harri Morgan was living the dream while suffering in silence.

From growing up in a fanatical rugby family in the Valleys to scoring a try on his debut for local professional team the Ospreys at 18.

From being feted at school for his rugby prowess to gaining national acclaim by starting to represent Wales in the Six Nations at under-2srcs level.

“From a young age, I sort of accelerated pretty fast through the age groups,” he recalled in an interview with Sky News.

“Then when I hit sort of the age of 19, 2src, injuries started mounting.”

Injuries that took not only a physical toll, but impacted his mental wellbeing.

At the same time, Morgan’s grandmother died suddenly and his grandfather died from cancer.

“Losing them hit me, like nothing’s ever hit me before,” he said. “I love playing rugby – and by getting injured, I couldn’t do that.”

There was the grief for the loss of his grandparents and the pain of his rugby ambitions being put on hold by injuries.

He said: “Then the thoughts come of what’s my point in life? What is my purpose? I had no purpose.

“Whereas rugby has always been my purpose, I’d lost the ability to play rugby. So I’d lost the purpose. And so that’s when suicidal thoughts come in.”

The anguish heightened over Christmas.

He had sought help from his parents and doctor.

“Then in February it obviously came to a head where I tried taking my own life,” he recalled.

In hospital came the realisation, talking with his parents and the doctors.

Reg