Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has applauded the move of Greg Inglis to check himself into a mental health facility, believing more players are seeking help since Darius Boyd opened up about his struggles with mental illness.
Broncos fullback Boyd completed a 21-day rehabilitation program in 2014, fighting off depression and a number of mental demons with professional help.
He did so openly and publicly, no longer hiding from the 'black dog' that had been following him all his life.
Boyd came out the other side a happier person and in a heart-warming story of redemption, was named captain of the Broncos for the 2017 season and beyond.
The 29-year-old's decision to seek help has set an example for not just rugby league players, but young men alike, sending a message that looking for help is not a sign of weakness.
Inglis, who is out for the season with a serious knee injury, has now taken that first step.
Often described as the hardest stage of recovery, Inglis has recognised that he has a problem and will be helped professionally to overcome what is being described as a form of depression.
Bennett, who saw firsthand what Boyd went through, said Inglis has done the right thing.
"It would be more than just his struggles with injury," Bennett said.
"The best part of it is that he's recognised he has a problem and wants go and get some help. That's what I'm pleased about.
"I mean Darius probably led the way a little bit. He was so open with his struggles.
"He told everybody where he was going and he didn't hide. He got there and he's a changed bloke. I think he's a bit of a pathfinder in that regard.
"A lot of people have followed what he's done and that's been good. They've recognised they have a problem."
Mental health does not discriminate and Inglis is one of many who have felt the wrath of the 'black dog'.
It may seem like it is more prevalent in today's society, but according to Bennett this is just because people are no longer afraid to speak up.
And the master coach said he was not surprised by Inglis's diagnoses, saying that it's a reflection of today's more open society.
"I'm not surprised. It's human nature. What we show on the outside is maybe not how we feel on the inside," he said.
"If we don't live with them and we aren't with them 24/7 then we're not going to see what they are going through.
"It's an issue in our society and it always has been. We're in a more open society so people don't want to hide anymore.
"There's more people recognising they have a problem than there were in the past.
"I remember as a young boy growing up there was a stigma surrounding it. It was seen as a sign of weakness and that you weren’t the person you should have been but all that's been removed thank god."
