The horrific injury sustained by Alex McKinnon may have been the tipping point to Darius Boyd’s mental issues, says Wayne Bennett.
Newcastle Knights coach Wayne Bennett says the injury to Alex McKinnon may have been the tipping point to Darius Boyd’s admission to suffering from depression.
The Knights issued a statement on Wednesday confirming Boyd had been admitted to a mental health hospital to seek treatment for depression.
Bennett said the Alex McKinnon’s horrific injury may have become the pushed Boyd over the edge.
“Probably a little bit, he’s obviously had, over a long period of time, lots of things to deal with,” Bennett said.
“What weight do you put on his relationship with Alex McKinnon? They’re best friends. He’s Alex’s best friend and vice versa, there’s no doubt about that.
“We’ve talked about that and there’s been a struggle there with Darius about that.
“So, is it the tipping point? Maybe it was, I don’t know.”
Bennett, who has coached Boyd at both St. George an Newcastle, said he was happy that Boyd was able to admit to needing professional help.
“I am pleased for Darius that he has recognised he has a problem, it is a self-admission one and he booked himself into rehab this morning,” Bennett explained.
“He’s always had different little issues, but no more than I’ve noticed in the past.
“I’ve always had a close relationship and good communication with him, but late last week he started to talk more about it… and he realised he needed to get some professional help.
“You have to make the first admission yourself, he has probably been fighting that for the last few months.
“Were there absolutely certain signs? No. Were there some signs? Yes.
“Darius has been working with counsellors for quite a period of time.”
It was reported that hotel room Boyd was staying at last week had $1500 worth of damage.
Boyd is believed to have contacted the hotel’s manager to apologise and offer to pay for the damage.
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