Power Of The Mind

Jan 19 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE full story behind Giants rugby star Paul Whatuira’s bizarre behaviour which led to an attack on two men has now come out.

It makes sobering reading as Paul explains that he was haunted by child abuse from the past which had suddenly been triggered and led him to seek psychiatric help.

And, he says, if he had not been arrested, his deep depression could have ended in his own death.

It shows that child abuse can store up massive psychological problems for many years and can leave a terrible unseen ‘wound’ that never really heals.

That’s why the courts treat people guilty of child abuse with severity – and rightly so.

That’s why we have Sex Offenders Registers and CRB checks.

But Paul’s case has also brought into the open something else that is largely taboo – mental illness.

It afflicted him at the time he left St Luke’s Hospital and led to the attacks. He has now apologised to both victims.

Paul has been brave to speak out and give people an insight into what can happen inside the mind if you feel unable to talk about your ‘demons’ to family, friends or health professionals.

Now he has a newborn daughter and is due to marry.

Let’s hope it signals the start of a truly happy time in his life.