Darius Boyd backs Josh Dugan’s decision to reveal his mental health battle

Darius Boyd didn’t think he’d see the day when an NRL player publicly revealed their mental health battles on the back page of a newspaper. That changed with Josh Dugan’s frank admission to The Daily Telegraph.

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Darius Boyd didn’t think he’d see the day when an NRL player publicly revealed their mental health battles on the back page of a newspaper.

This changed when Boyd arrived in Sydney on Wednesday morning to the sight of Josh Dugan expressing his feelings in The Daily Telegraph.

As a pioneer for mental health in rugby league, the Broncos captain couldn’t be prouder of Dugan for taking his brave stance.

The former Queensland and Australian back checked himself into a mental health facility in 2014 when he found himself in a dark hole.

Four years on, Boyd is a changed man thanks to his proactive approach.

Darius Boyd at the Fox League Launch at the SCG. (Tracey Nearmy)

He believes Dugan revealing his mental health problems is a sign of the game’s growth to have a well-known player feel comfortable to share his private struggles.

“With people like Dugan speaking up, it is only going to help the game, the players and society as well,” Boyd said.

“Men are not known for speaking up and talking about their emotions, especially in league where it is a male-dominated sport and a tough game to play.

“In the past, the game has been known to think, ‘harden up and just get on with it’.

Boyd’s battle with depression was a breakthrough for the game. (Phil Hillyard)

“Whereas now we all have thoughts, feelings and families. Rugby league is a great game but at the end of the day it is your family and friends are the ones that are going to be there through thick and thin.

“You have to make sure you lean on those people and have mentors outside of the game.

“It changed my life a lot by going and asking for help.

“I now try and get out to a few schools and different organisations to talk about my struggles and journey.

“If I can help one or two people in that regard than I’m doing a good job.”

Dugan hopes his admission will help others. (Darren Leigh Roberts)

Boyd believes Dugan’s courage will pave the way for other players to feel comfortable about their mental health.

From experience, he knows avoiding or burying personal issues will only have a damaging impact on your health.

“So I think it is really positive what Dugan has done by speaking,” he said.

“We all have mental health, whether it is good or poor.

“I think it is all about managing it, talking about it and opening up. There are a lot of tools we can use to help that.

The Broncos skipper is looking better than ever. (Peter Wallis)

“Rugby league players and sportspeople in general have a bit of a profile, so if we can talk about our ups and downs then hopefully the young people in the public can see that and know that it is OKto have some struggles and put your hand up and ask for help.

“Mental health isn’t going anywhere and it is all about supporting each other and getting the best out of yourself to make sure you become the best version of you.”

In this regard, Boyd says he has never felt better — both mentally and physically.

He concedes he was well below his best season but after a full off-season he is brimming with confidence.

“That is probably what I’m most excited about,” he said.

“My body is feeling really good. I haven’t missed a session for the whole pre-season.

“The training staff have looked after me with the number of sessions, which is always nice.

“I just want to get back to my best. I think last year, whether it was my hamstrings or a lack of confidence, but I didn’t have my best season.

“I just want to get back to playing at a really high level, which I know I’m capable of.”