How suicidal thoughts led to Brad Dwyer 'accepting' birthmark

Brad Dwyer has opened up on the "suicidal thoughts" which prompted him to get help - and ultimately address the issue of his birthmark.
Brad Dwyer playing for LeedsBrad Dwyer playing for Leeds
Brad Dwyer playing for Leeds

The 27-year-old has played in Super League with Leeds and Warrington but hails from Wigan, and is a former Ince Rose Bridge junior.

He revealed he has only recently come to terms with the distinctive birthmark down the side of his face and neck.

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"I didn't feel it did (affect me)," he told BBC's Five Live.

"Two years ago I'd have laughed if you'd said I had a mental health issue.

"My family and everyone around me loved me for who I was and it was never an issue.

"When I got to 25 I had a relationship breakdown.

"I had a big night out and woke up with awful anxiety. I'd been having suicidal thoughts. It wasn't like I was going to go out and kill myself.

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"But I was picturing how easy it would be and my problems would go away.

"It was crazy it was popping into my head without me thinking about it.

"I reached out to our welfare manager at Leeds, and wanted to sort the situation out."

Dwyer traced his mental health issues back to his birthmark.

"Now I've accepted it and tried not to worry about it, I'm doing miles more things," said the hooker, who has used the lockdown period to launch his own podcast, Dogcast.