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SEN • May 13th, 2025 10:22 am
Taylan May has lifted the lid on the time he spent in a mental health facility and that he had contemplated taking his own life after hitting rock bottom.
The 23-year-old, who was stood down by Penrith in May last year after being charged with domestic violence offences, is adamant he has done enough work on himself to return to the game.
May pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalking or intimidation intending to cause fear, as well as two counts of contravening an apprehended violence order.
All charges were eventually dropped and the NRL green-lit his return to the sport.
May opted to check into a facility before pursuing his dreams of playing alongside brothers Terrell and Tyrone May.
“It was probably the best thing that could have happened for me, it opened my eyes up to a lot of things," May told Channel 9.
“A day in a psych ward felt like a week. Yeah man, it was good.
“I feel like I came out of it totally different. My mindset has changed, my beliefs have changed, and I'm a whole different person now.
“My name was unknown in the psych ward and I was happy to come out and be unknown.
“I just didn't like the person that Taylan was.
“I got suicidal and I think that's fair to say. It's not a sob story, it's how I felt.
“I think honestly just my family and having the support of my wife and kids telling me it's gonna be alright, I think that's what kept me going. I couldn't picture leaving them in this world. I brought them into this world - me and my wife - why would I leave them?
“They need me and I haven't done anything for them yet and I haven't set them up.”
Since leaving the facility, May has started holding regular bible meetings and creating music under the artist name ‘Mayfair’.
Wests Tigers appear to be one club interested in a potential deal.
