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NRL star Greg Inglis checks into mental health facility

NRL superstar and Rabbitohs captain Greg Inglis has checked himself into a mental health clinic after revealing he is battling depression.

The Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test ace – who is sidelined with a season-ending knee injury – is receiving support from his NRL club.

“Rabbitohs captain Greg Inglis has entered a mental health rehabilitation facility,” the Rabbitohs said on Wednesday night in a statement.

“Inglis entered the facility last week and will be undergoing a series of programs and treatments to assist with his mental health.
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“The Rabbitohs, Greg and his management will not be making any further comment at this stage, and we ask the media to respect the privacy of both Greg and his family at this time.”

NRL 360’s Paul Kent reported Inglis is currently midway through the second week of a three-week program at the facility.

Greg Inglis

Inglis ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a season-ending injury. Photo: Getty

“It’s a personal issue and my understanding is there’s nothing else surrounding this, nothing untoward we need to be concerned about,” Kent said on Wednesday’s NRL 360.

“He’s basically suffering depression, he’ll be there for three weeks.”

“This is just a guy who needs our support, he doesn’t need anyone to bring him down in any way, there’s nothing sinister behind it, it’s just a matter of a guy getting the help he needs.”

The 30-year-old tore an ACL in Souths’ season opener against the Tigers, but Australian coach Mal Meninga last week said he remained hopeful that the 38-Test stalwart would be available for the Kangaroos’ 2017 World Cup campaign.

“GI is so hopeful he will be back by the end of the year. He hasn’t given up which is the most important thing,” Meninga said at a Fox Sports Origin launch in Brisbane last Friday.

“He’s trying his hardest to be available at the end of the year.”

A veteran of 30 Origin games, Inglis was also expected to join the Maroons in camp for this year’s series, just as the injured Billy Slater did in 2016.

Inglis has previously promoted the NRL’s State Of Mind campaign and worked with mental health programs.

In 2015, Inglis helped Queensland and Australian teammate Darius Boyd during his own mental health battle.

Greg Inglis

Darius Boyd (L) credited Inglis partly for his mental recovery. Photo: Getty

In an interview with NRL.com, Body praised Inglis saying he was one of the few people to visit him during his three-week treatment.

“GI is a special guy,” Boyd said at the time.

“He came and visited me when I was in the clinic last year and there were only a couple of people that did that and that’s something I’ll never forget and really cherish.

“I just thought that was a pretty special thing and at a time when I wasn’t feeling the best or feeling like I had a lot of people in my corner it was really special to have someone like GI come and visit me.”

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

– with AAP

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