World number two Luke Humphries has insisted his remarkable rise in darts would never have been possible without speaking openly about his mental health struggles.
Humphries, who partnered with the Samaritans to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, was competing on the PDC Tour when an anxiety attack struck midway through a 2019 tournament, leaving him considering retirement.
But talking publicly about his difficulties had a positive impact, driving a surge to the summit of the sport that culminated in winning the 2024 World Championship title and becoming world number one.
“For me, the best thing I ever did was go and see a doctor and go and tell him my feelings. Look who I am now, I’ve achieved so much from doing that and I’m so glad I did,” Humphries said in conversation with a Samaritans volunteer.
“The first step is to be open and honest about it, you know when I told my mum and dad stuff, they were really helpful and stuff, helping me get where I needed to be.
“With what I was going through and the way I was feeling, where I thought my career was going to go, to end up with, four or five years later, with nine major titles, and a World Championship and a World Cup and a Matchplay, I would never have thought that was going to happen to me.
“I thought that would have been impossible because of the way I was feeling at the time.
“I just felt like my career was going to end and I almost thought about giving it up because the stress was playing on me a lot. I decided to stick with it and it was the best choice I ever made, to be honest. It really did pay its dividends.”
Data from the Samaritans indicates one in four people experience suicidal thoughts, with suicide standing as the biggest killer of men under 50.
Humphries revealed he still experiences bouts of anxiety, but now understands how to manage them.
“I still get those moments of anxiety and stuff, but they’re just random,” he said.
“They’re not in moments you would expect, surrounded by hundreds of people. It could just be a random moment when I’m driving in the car by myself and you just get this bout of anxiety.
“It’s strange, but I know how to deal with it better. You don’t spiral, I think that’s the most important thing. That’s why I feel my mental health has been so much better in the last three to four years.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
