LUKE HUMPHRIES has revealed he “almost thought about giving it up” when the stress of professional darts became too much.
The world No2 opened up about his mental health struggles after suffering an anxiety attack during a tournament in 2019.
Humphries, 31, who has partnered with the Samaritans to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, admitted he feared the disorder was going to bring his sports career to an end.
He told a Samaritans Volunteer: “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.
“The first step is to be open and honest about it. When I told my mum and dad stuff, they were really helpful. They helped me get where I needed to be.
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“With what I was going through, the way I was feeling and where I thought my career was going to go, to end up with nine major titles, and a World Championship and a World Cup and a Matchplay four or five years later, 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.” Humphries has since gone on to win NINE major titles and complete the Triple Crown.
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The Cheshire thrower famously claimed the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2024 after beating Luke Littler 7-4 in the final at Ally Pally.
But despite reaching the pinnacle of his career, Humphries admits his battle with anxiety has not completely gone away.
He added: “I still get those moments of anxiety and stuff, but they’re just random.
“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.”
You can contact Samaritans free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 or visiting www.samaritans.org