“IT ain’t weak to speak.”

That’s the message NRL star Greg Inglis is sending to other rugby league players who think they might be suffering mental health problems.

The South Sydney veteran made his own battle public when he checked himself in to a mental health rehabilitation facility in May.

He spent three weeks in the facility and continues to receive regular treatment and therapy.

Round 19

In an exclusive interview with Matty Johns for Fox Sports’ Sunday Ticket, Inglis opened up on the moment he realised he needed help.

To see the full interview with Greg Inglis and Matty Johns, tune in to Sunday Ticket, 3:50pm prior to the Rabbitohs v Cowboys game on Fox League.

He believes the stress of a season-ending knee injury in the opening game of the 2017 season was a catalyst for the illness.

“I think it struck me at first when I knew I was out for the season. It wasn’t just the injury itself,” Inglis said.

“It was actually missing being around the boys in the sheds, the camaraderie, the talk, the laughter, just everything that goes with it.

“When people ask what I miss most I don’t say playing, it’s actually sitting in the sheds with my mates that you work hard with, that you train with, week in week out and you see what they go through.

Greg Inglis on the sidelines for the Anzac Test, just before entering rehab. Source: Getty Images

“I didn’t really want to speak out, but I took it upon myself that I had to.

“It was weighing on my family, I wasn’t feeling right in myself, so I wanted to get in there and seek the help that I needed.

“I’m still seeking treatment now.”

Inglis has played rugby league against the toughest blokes in the game. He’s represented Melbourne, South Sydney, Queensland, and Australia week in, week out since debuting as a lean teenager a decade ago.

But he’s facing his biggest battle off the field.

He believes the culture in rugby league doesn’t encourage players to talk about their feelings, which can mean mental health issues go unnoticed.

Greg Inglis has struggled while being sidelined for the Rabbitohs. Source: Getty Images

“It was taught at a very young age, toughen up and play on and just get on with it,” Inglis said.

“For me to put my hand up, it had a lot of weight on my family about the mood I was in at home, so I decided there and then — the week leading into the Anzac Test in Canberra — that I wanted to seek help.

“I told a handful of people, maybe three people ... then after the Anzac Test the following week went into rehab.”

Greg Inglis is helped by teammates after his Round 1 NRL injury. Source: News Corp Australia

Since making his own battle public, Inglis wants to help other players who might be experiencing similar health issues.

He’s encouraging other men to reach out and seek help if they feel they might be struggling.

“I’m a very sensitive person but I don’t show emotions much, I don’t talk about my feelings very often and I sort of keep things to myself,” he said.

“That’s one thing we’ve been working on, speaking up.

“I think we see ourselves as these fierce gladiators, men, warriors that take the field each week. Obviously we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.

“It definitely ain’t weak to speak.”