Darius Boyd played big part in helping Greg Inglis confront mental health battle and enter rehab

DARIUS Boyd, who checked into rehab himself three years ago, has emerged as an instrumental figure in assisting with Greg Inglis’ battle with depression.

Darius Boyd has been a real success story for the NRL.

BRONCOS skipper Darius Boyd has emerged as an instrumental figure in Greg Inglis’ decision to enter rehab in the Queensland Origin star’s battle with depression.

INGLIS TORMENT: star dealing with mental health issues

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett on Thursday opened up about Inglis’ plight, claiming the Rabbitohs ace’s mental health ordeal goes beyond a singular struggle with his knee injury.

Inglis’ friends were so concerned with his mental state it is understood they reached out to Bennett for help last week.

The Broncos coach said someone “pretty close to me” played a key role in organising professional help for Inglis.

Darius Boyd has been a real success story for the NRL.

News Corp Australia understands that person was Bennett’s skipper Boyd, who checked into rehab himself three years ago and has since become a success story for NRL stars by ascending to the Broncos’ leadership post.

“I heard about it (Inglis’ depression battle) this morning, I didn’t realise it was happening,” Bennett said.

“Someone that’s pretty close to me, without naming names, was involved in helping him and giving him some advice.”

Asked if Inglis’ serious knee injury plunged him into a dark place, Bennett said: “It’s more than just injury, I don’t want to go into stuff, it’s not my field, but there would be more issues than just injury.

“It’s just society today and the best part is Greg has recognised he has a problem and wants to get some help.”

Bennett said Boyd’s renaissance is evidence NRL players can bounce back from depression to play a leading role in the game.

He is hopeful Inglis, who will spend another fortnight in a mental-health facility, makes a similar recovery.

In recent times, Mitchell Pearce, James Roberts and Paul Carter are among NRL top-liners who have checked into rehab to turn their lives around.

Greg Inglis ohas checked himself into rehab.

“Darius led the way with it,” Bennett said.

“He was so open about it, he told people where he was going, he didn’t hide it and he is a changed bloke.

“He is a pathfinder in that regard, a lot of (NRL) players have gone after him (into rehab) which is good.

“I’m not surprised (by the Inglis bombshell), it’s human nature.

“What we show on the outside might not be what we show on the inside. We don’t live with them. We’re not with them 24-7, as a game and society we’re more open so people don’t want to hide it anymore.

“More people are recognising it. When I was a kid growing up, it was a stigma, you were seen to be weak and not the person you should be. All of that has been removed, thank god, and it’s the right way to go.”