Rugby league legend Greg Inglis has found a new goal for his post-footy life - changing the narrative around men's mental health. or signup to continue reading Expanding on his mental battles, the former Melbourne and South Sydney superstar said he never again wants to see a person suffer in silence. Inglis was the headline speaker at NSW"s first Men's Mental Health Forum, which brought together advocates, experts and people with a lived experience of mental illness.
While he was often seemingly unstoppable on the football field, the 37-year-old used the form at NSW Parliament to share the message that anyone could be brought down by mental health challenges. Refusing to let the stigma silence him, the 37-year-old said he snapped out of a dark period earlier in the year by seeking help in what he labelled "a big win". "When I'm out there sharing the stories, it takes the whole NRL, rugby league thing away from me, I'm just another human being with the same struggles," he said.
"I've still got to make sure I'm taking care of myself at the same time. "I was battling a few months ago and I picked up the phone and rang up my psychiatrist." The forum will be held annually, but Inglis pointed out the discussion of mental health should be "an everyday thing".
Suicide is the leading cause of death among Australian men aged 15-44, while NSW accounts for the largest number of male suicides of any state. In 2023, nearly 80 per cent of the 934 suspected suicides in NSW involved men. Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson it was important to show men that looking for support was a sign of strength, not weakness.
Inglis fronts the Goanna Academy, an organisation designed to help end the stigma surrounding mental health and improve the ability to talk about the issues people are battling with. "I've had a fortunate life and I've lived the life I wanted to live in terms of rugby league and I was very passionate about it," he said. "Transferring that (to the mental health space) .
.. it's different, but it's rewarding.
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