Rejuvenated Queensland and Brisbane star Darius Boyd has spoken of the heartwarming support that has come his way since airing his public battle with the world.
Earlier in the month Boyd revealed to the ABC’s Australian Story just how dark things had got during his battle with depression and detailed the impact of mental illness on himself and his family over the years.
His story has since struck a chord with not only the rugby league community but also people right across the country.
After the program aired in late-May the response to the 27-year-old’s courage to go public has been overwhelming.
"It has been positive, I don’t read into the media too much but everyone who has told me things and the lady who produced it said there has been a lot of positive feedback," Boyd said.
"I guess that is good for me and good for anyone else who is going through those struggles as well. I just want to help out and be approachable to anyone that needs the help.
"That is probably the hardest thing, a lot of people don’t ask for it and I’ve had a few people reach out here and there who are really struggling and whether my story has helped them talk about it or not that has been a positive."
As he fronted the media at the Maroons' Melbourne hotel on Sunday, Boyd looked a welcome contrast to the once media-shy, standoff personality he was once viewed as.
He now appears confident, upbeat and focused on what awaits him and his Queensland teammates on Wednesday night.
Once again Boyd will join great mate Greg Inglis on Queensland's potent left edge, seeking redemption for what was viewed by many as a poor performance by the pair in the Maroons' Game One win at ANZ Stadium three weeks ago.
However a fair excuse could be offered in the horror preparation suffered by Inglis in the build-up, which saw him spend four days in hospital with tonsillitis.
Now both men are in Melbourne and are fit and ready to rekindle the understanding that has seen them become Queensland's most prolific try-scoring combination.
"It is usually pretty good, I don’t think it was there in Game One probably because of the prep," Boyd said.
"G.I. wasn’t there for pretty much the whole time and obviously we hadn’t played together since last Origin camp. It is more just the timing, the passing, the communication in defence, all that type of stuff, the little things."
"I think we’ve had a good week so far and there is a couple of days to go, but usually it is pretty good."
"Obviously G.I. is one of the best players in the world and when he is on it is easy for me to play outside him."
Both Inglis and Boyd will look to add to their 15 Origin tries when they take to the MCG and attempt to clinch the 2015 series against the Blues on Wednesday night.
