‘It became a case of what happens next’: British discus champion opens up about mental health journey in documentary

At 17 years old Brydon Duncan was the British Champion for discus throw in his age category. 

Now, aged 20, the young athlete from Burnt Ash, Bromley, has created a documentary to reveal his struggles with mental health in the hope of encouraging other men to talk.

After 15 months of filming and editing, Breaking the Circle is set to premiere at Mr Duncan’s former school, Langley Park School for Boys in Bromley this July.

Speaking to the South London Press, Mr Duncan said: “Throughout my life, I’ve battled severe mental health challenges, including depression and suicide attempts. 

“After winning my national title, I hit one of the lowest points in my life, and for a long time, I felt like I had no way out.”

In candid interviews throughout the documentary, Mr Duncan’s family, friends and coaches discuss his mental state as he navigated diagnoses for Autism and ADHD, bullying at school and the pressure of being an aspiring athlete.

He said: “I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD a week before primary school.

“I was bullied for countless years at school because of my Autism. 

“It’s only been the last year that I realised how much it affected me and I’ve accepted it and taken an interest in learning about how it affects me.”

By the time Mr Duncan turned 13 years old he stood 6ft tall and was ushered into Langley Park’s athletics team by the sports coach.

Aged 14 he had broken the school record for the discus throw, which had gone unbeaten for 30 years.

He said: “I went down to my local athletics track and never looked back.”

Mr Duncan’s big win came in the summer of 2021, when he claimed the British U17 Championship title.

One day earlier, his cousin had passed away after a battle with cancer, aged just 19.

He said: “Winning the title became a case of what happens next. The year had gone pretty well, I felt like I couldn’t walk away from that and complain.

“Looking back I didn’t process what happened to my cousin. My dad’s cancer diagnosis came soon after that and then I went through a really nasty break up.

“I was only 17, I was still a kid. I also don’t like change because of my autism, so I became very overwhelmed.

“The sporting system itself is terrible. I was lucky to have people around me I could talk to but unless you are a GB registered athlete there is no support.”

The year after winning the British title, Mr Duncan’s mental health spiralled and he pulled out of the athletics season early.

He said: “I needed to write a statement for my coaches. I explained what was going on and it went well.

“Then I made a post on social media about my mental health and it reached 18,000 different accounts.”

After another follow up post, Mr Duncan was back in training and returned to represent Great Britain in the U20 Category of the European Championships in Rome in September 2023.

He said: “I was sat by the edge of a pool and another athlete came over to me and asked me if I was Brydon Duncan. 

“He said if he hadn’t seen the post I made the year before he wouldn’t be here today.

“It suddenly became very real. I’m still in touch with him today and that was definitely a turning point for me. 

“It made me want to do something bigger.”

Now Mr Duncan will return to his former school, for the first screening of his documentary with the hope that sharing his story will encourage other men to speak out.

He said: “Men suck at talking. It’s infuriating because it’s so simple and it’s so important.

“My dad is 76, he was a military man and he is very supportive of what I do but thought it was crazy at first.

“He saw horrendous things and I’m sad for what ? I always respect that perspective but we need to get used to this new concept.”

Touching on relationships, bereavement and the pressures of the sporting world, Mr Duncan hopes his documentary will connect to a broad audience.

He said: “You can’t force someone to talk but you can encourage that person. And that first bit of encouragement can have a ripple effect to help them reach out.

“It’s not about fixing the issue but it’s about doing what we can do to help.”

With dreams to reach the Olympics, Mr Duncan first hopes to conquer the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

He said: “I’m starting 10 steps back but I’m in a very good environment, I train with great athletes and have a great supporting coach.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever win the Olympics, but it doesn’t mean I can’t go.”

Breaking the Circle will be screened at  Langley Park School for Boys, Bromley, on July 21 with the trailer to be released soon.

To follow Brydon Duncan on social media, visit: https://linktr.ee/brydonduncan

Pictured top: Brydon Duncan, former British Champion of the discus throw, has created a documentary about his mental health journey (Picture: Brydon Duncan)