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Six words from a psychiatrist changed the course of Greg Inglis’ life forever.
The State of Origin hero had been diagnosed with bipolar 2, depression and anxiety, in June 2019.
And while he was glad to finally have an answer for the nagging apathy and mood swings that plagued his life, he had no idea what it meant for his future.
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Once he could no longer kick a ball around a footy field, what did he have to offer?
His therapist offered a suggestion – “your story can change a life”.
Inglis walked out of the clinic that day with a different perspective on what lay ahead.
Greg Inglis at the Camden Showgrounds in 2020. Kate Geraghty
“I just had to take that leap of faith,” Inglis tells Wide World of Sports.
“After coming out of my therapist’s office… the way he said that really sat like concrete in me.
“I had to make a decision right there and then – do I want to continue on this thing? Or do I want to go back and be stuck in the same old situation that I was.
“I made the conscious effort, the really good decision, about changing my lifestyle, changing the way I go forward and changing my journey in life.”
Inglis picked up the phone and called Goanna Academy chairman Brent Richardson, the son of current Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson, with whom Inglis had shared a rich history at South Sydney, with a burst of inspiration.
He had decided to dedicate his life to helping people open up about their mental health.
They’ve now joined forces with WayAhead for Mental Health Month 2024.
According to research provided by the organisation, 78 per cent of men who have suffered from mental health problems have hid it from others. One in three Australians have not sought treatment despite experiencing mental health issues.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary revealed his own battle with depression publicly for the first time earlier this month.
The phrase driving Inglis this month is only four words rather than six – “let’s talk about it”.
It’s what WayAhead is encouraging Aussies to do.
“We don’t talk about it as much, especially as men,” Inglis says.
“It’s an alarming number how many people out there do need help, and how many don’t reach out for help.
“It’s good to see someone like Ivan can come out and be open about it. It’s a lot to do with vulnerability, it’s massive, we don’t want to show that side.
“Speaking from personal experience, stepping over that worry is a massive relief because it’s out there, you’ve got it off your chest, not hiding anything any more.”
Inglis is far from the first rugby league star to suffer from mental health issues, but he’s one of the most vocal about it.
It wasn’t always that way for him, though.
“After speaking about it and showing that vulnerability… it was hard. It’s not easy,” he said.
“It took me about a year to be real comfortable with it. But after that it was fine.
“I couldn’t think of anything else better to do besides what I’m doing now, which I really love.
Greg Inglis introduces three ambassadors for the Goanna Academy – Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Kennedy Cherrington. Nick Moir
“It’s the perception of it. For years and generations we’ve been taught not to show any signs, we’ve been taught to be the warriors, the providers.
“We see it as a weakness and we don’t want it to be used against us. We don’t want to be put in a box, or be labelled.
“Having more people bringing it to light, more public figures… it’s a massive win for us.
“We’ve been taught not to talk about our feelings, not to share our emotions.
“We can’t parent the way our parents taught us. We have to parent the new generation and we have to learn.”
Inglis spent a decade wowing sports fans with his enviable power, blinding speed, skill with the football and his trademark goanna try celebration.
And while that’s what NRL players enjoy doing, he says they also need to look in the mirror and be able to recognise when something isn’t quite right.
“Don’t be shy – your life matters, you matter, you’re important,” he says.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be shy, don’t worry about what people think about you reaching out for help.
“At the end of the day your life is worth it. Put your hand up because you’ll only make yourself better, and that’s where it starts.”
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000
