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Inspirational Harriet Elleman opens up about her off-field battles with anxiety and mental health | South Coast Register

Inspirational Harriet Elleman opens up about her off-field battles with anxiety and mental health | South Coast Register

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news, latest-news, harriet elleman, rugby union, bomaderry, act brumbies, anxiety, mental health, nowra high school, wagga wagga

On the field, Harriet Elleman has developed into one of the toughest women in Australian rugby. But behind that brave face is someone who deals when nerves, anxiety and her own mental health battles. “I was placing a lot of pressure on myself to perform at everything I do – from my course at Charles Sturt University (Bachelor of Teaching – secondary), rugby union and working to support myself, which is when I realised I had a problem,” said Elleman. “I really suffered during that time as I didn’t feel there were enough hours in the day, between studying, applying for scholarships and simply trying to make ends meet – it was one of the hardest periods of my life until I admitted to myself I needed help as I wasn’t coping. Read more: Bennett announces herself on world stage with equal second in Abu Dhabi “I then reached our started seeing a psychologist, which really helped calm my anxiety by talking through my thoughts and emotions, among other coping mechanisms – as I wasn’t prepared to give up any parts of my life. “Taking three, big, deep breaths to reset is another tool I use to maintain a positive headspace and remind me that it’s not the end of the world if things don’t work out as I’d planned. “I also prioritise getting at least seven to eight hours sleep a night to decrease my stress levels and the pressure I put on myself- because, at the end of the day, we’re all only human. “All this was enabled me to understand my own mental health, make it a priority and know when I need to take a step back and reset – especially now more than ever with what everyone’s gone through the past two years.” Those techniques, which include going for a walk with her dogs or listening to a podcast and tuning out, have massively the 28-year-old overcome the adversity that has come her way the past few seasons and put her in a positive mindset. “When I broke my hand in the pre-season a couple of years ago, I didn’t even think I’d make the squad,” said Elleman, who admits her captain Michaela Leonard and coaching staff, headed by Mick Burrows and Daniel Hawke, have been exceptional sounding boards for her to speak with. “Instead of moping around, I worked as hard as I possibly could to get the rest of my body as fit as it could – and when I was selected by the coaches, it was one of the best feelings I’ve experienced, as it showed the confidence the club had in me. “Then last season, with the whole COVID situation, every day was a new proposition and challenge, from temperature checking, masks rules and isolations, which was extremely tough – especially being the vice-captain and feeling that little bit of extra pressure. “But I enjoyed that extra responsibility and feel it’s helped me become the person I am today – I hope I get that honour again in the future. “Every situation is a learning experience and I’ve really tried to take the glass-half-full approach to the past few years and concentrate on what I can control and not what I can’t.” More recently, factors that have added to the Wagga Wagga-based athletes’ anxiety have been starting a new job at CSU and missing the start of the Brumbies’ pre-season training due to border restrictions. Read more: Seven champions crowned at Kiama’s surfer groms competition “Unfortunately, us girls that weren’t in the ACT did a couple of remote sessions before returning to face-to-face sessions on November 1,” the Nowra High School alumna said. “That pre-season block, of two sessions a week, will continue until the start of December when we should transition into the next stage of our summer regime.” This will ensure Elleman and her Brumbies are ready for the 2022 Super W competition, which is set to kick-off in March/April. “Everyone is really looking forward to returning to our regular home and away structure with finals this season, after last year’s shortened format,” she said. “The sport is as popular as it has ever been among women and we’re all keen to showcase that on the national stage once again.” We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

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Taliban Sweep Across Afghanistan's South, Taking At Least Three More Cities : NPR

Taliban Sweep Across Afghanistan’s South, Taking At Least Three More Cities : NPR

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Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday. The Taliban captured the provincial capital near Kabul on Thursday, the 10th the insurgents have taken over a weeklong blitz across Afghanistan as the U.S. and NATO prepare to withdraw entirely from the country after decades of war.

Gulabuddin Amiri/AP


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Gulabuddin Amiri/AP

Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday. The Taliban captured the provincial capital near Kabul on Thursday, the 10th the insurgents have taken over a weeklong blitz across Afghanistan as the U.S. and NATO prepare to withdraw entirely from the country after decades of war.

Gulabuddin Amiri/AP

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban captured another three provincial capitals in southern Afghanistan on Friday, including in Helmand, the scene of some of the heaviest fighting in the past two decades, as the insurgents press a lightning offensive that is gradually encircling the capital, Kabul.

The loss of Helmand’s provincial capital comes after years of toil and blood spilled by American, British and allied NATO forces. Hundreds of foreign troops were killed there over the course of the nearly two-decade war.

The insurgents have taken more than a dozen provincial capitals in recent days and now control more than two-thirds of the country just weeks before the U.S. plans to withdraw its last troops.

Attaullah Afghan, the head of the provincial council in Helmand, says that Taliban captured the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah following heavy fighting and raised their white flag over governmental installations. He says that three national army bases outside of Lashkar Gah remain under control of the government.

U.S. Is Starting To Evacuate Some Embassy Staff From Afghanistan With Military Help

Atta Jan Haqbayan, the provincial council chief in Zabul province, said the local capital of Qalat fell to the Taliban and that officials are in a nearby army camp preparing to leave.

Two lawmakers from Afghanistan’s southern Uruzgan province said local officials have surrendered the provincial capital, Tirin Kot, to the rapidly advancing Taliban. Bismillah Jan Mohammad and Qudratullah Rahimi confirmed the surrender Friday. Mohammad says the governor is en route to the airport to depart for Kabul.

The latest advances came hours after the insurgents captured the country’s second and third largest cities in a lightning advance. The seizures of Kandahar and Herat mark the biggest prizes yet for the Taliban.

While Kabul isn’t directly under threat yet, the losses and the battles elsewhere further tighten the grip of a resurgent Taliban, who are estimated to now hold over two-thirds of the country and continue to press their offensive.

With security rapidly deteriorating, the United States planned to send in 3,000 troops to help evacuate some personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Separately, Britain said about 600 troops would be deployed on a short-term basis to support British nationals leaving the country, and Canada is sending special forces to help evacuate its embassy.

Thousands of Afghans have fled their homes amid fears the Taliban will again impose a brutal, repressive government, all but eliminating women’s rights and conducting public executions.

Peace talks in Qatar remain stalled, though diplomats are still meeting, as the U.S., European and Asian nations warned that any government established by force would be rejected.

“We demand an immediate end to attacks against cities, urge a political settlement, and warn that a government imposed by force will be a pariah state,” said Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy to the talks.

Fazel Haq Ehsan, chief of the provincial council in the western Ghor province, said Friday that the Taliban had entered Feroz Koh, the provincial capital, and that there was fighting inside the city. The Taliban meanwhile claimed to have captured Qala-e Naw, capital of the western Badghis province. There was no official confirmation.

The Taliban are also on the move in Logar province, just south of Kabul, where they claim to have seized the police headquarters in the provincial capital of Puli-e Alim as well as a nearby prison. The city is some 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Kabul.

The latest U.S. military intelligence assessment suggests Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and…

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