‘A voice for the voiceless’: Isaac Humphries on coming back from the brink

Basketball star Isaac Humphries reveals how “explaining my demons” put him on a new trajectory – and he offers some frank advice for others with friends in need.

It is not even a year since Isaac Humphries came out as the only openly gay player on an active first division basketball roster globally.

The emotional revelation provided much relief for the now 25-year-old, who struggled with the secret and his mental health to the point he considered taking his own life.

Almost immediately, he turned his attention to helping others.

“The whole goal of my coming out was to be a role model and to be a voice for people that maybe didn’t have a voice,” Humphries told NewsCorp Australia.

‘Be a role model and a voice’ ... Isaac Humphries on why he wants to help others who are struggling. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“You can’t make a difference sitting at home not sharing your experiences. I did this to be a voice for the voiceless … coming out and being quiet and not doing much was never going to be the plan.”

Humphries was very clear when he came out – he wanted to be visible. He was, and still is, determined to make a difference, which is why he has signed up as an ambassador for RUOK? Day, this Thursday 14th September.

RU OK? HOW TO HELP SOMEONE OUT

“I am very public about my situation so that people do understand that there are other people going through it,” he explained. “I went through very dark days and very difficult times in my life coming to terms with my sexuality and my environment, and who I am as an athlete. In that story has been my battles with mental health. I attempted to take my life during a very difficult time where I didn’t believe I belonged anywhere.”

In action ... Isaac drives at the basket during the FIBA World Cup Qualification match in Melbourne between Australia and Bahrain, in February 2023.

Humphries, currently in pre-season training for Adelaide 36ers, thankfully sought help and reached out to a close friend when he was at his worst.

“When you get to that point, it is as bad as it can get,” he said. “You’ve convinced yourself that you don’t belong on earth anymore and there is no place for you. The way I got out of it was through the people around me and the connections I have in my life.”

Initially, Humphries would tell his friends he was okay, “shunning them off” to avoid difficult conversations.

“It got to the point where I was finally ready to share with some people how I was feeling and what was going on. When that question was asked to me, ‘Are you okay?’, it was quite liberating to express that I wasn’t and share that I had been going through a lot of struggles. It felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders, explaining my demons to just one person.”

‘A weight had lifted off my shoulders’ ... Isaac in March 2023, after coming out as gay. Picture: David Swift

And for those planning to check in with a friend or colleague who might be in need, he offered frank advice.

“Be very prepared to take on the answers – don’t just ask with shallow intent.”

In addition to conversation, music is another great release for Humphries, who plays the piano and has written countless songs based on his life experiences.

He is working towards releasing his singles publicly.

“I have a lot of music to come out that I wrote during my dark times, so I will be releasing some singles very soon about the process of coming out, or not being sure how to come out or having dark demons,” he said.

“There’s even songs about feeling amazing and feeling free and happy after the fact. That is my creative outlet, that is my release, that is another way I can share things with the world as I’ve kept a lot of it in for so long. There is lots to come.”

‘I’ve kept a lot of it in for so long’ ... now Isaac Humphries is ready to speak out, for himself and others. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Originally published as ‘A voice for the voiceless’: Isaac Humphries on coming back from the brink