Jake Friend's Mental State and Police Intervention Detailed in Court Documents
Former NRL star Jake Friend was the subject of a police operation after threatening to harm himself, with court documents outlining the events and his subsequent mental health assessment.
Court documents have revealed the details of a police operation involving former NRL premiership hero Jake Friend, who was restrained by five officers after threatening to take his own life. The incident, which occurred on December 5 last year, began when Friend returned home heavily intoxicated and engaged in a loud verbal argument with his wife.
His wife was preparing to put their two children to sleep in their Hunters Hill home when Friend arrived about 12:30 a.m. Reports indicate a series of missed text messages, triple zero calls, and suicide threats preceded the police response. Friend was located hiding in his back shed after threatening to harm himself.
Due to his emotional state, Friend was scheduled under the Mental Health Act and taken to a hospital as an involuntary patient. His lawyer, Paul McGirr, argued in court that the night's events were a result of Friend's unstable mental state due to intoxication, rather than a criminal act.
A psychiatrist's report referenced the number of concussions Friend sustained during his extensive career playing in the forwards, a career that saw him play 264 games for the Sydney Roosters from 2008 to 2021. He also represented Australia once and played three State of Origin games. Friend, a captain for the Roosters, is considered one of the club's favorite sons, having won three NRL premierships.
Friend has indicated he does not wish to attribute any potential damage to his brain to his rugby league career. He was pictured outside court last month. The incident highlights the serious interventions that can occur when individuals are in crisis, involving both law enforcement and mental health services.