Four-time world snooker champion Mark Selby has revealed how his openness about mental health struggles saved a fan's life.
The 41-year-old was approached by a woman in her mid-20s who told him she had decided not to take her own life after hearing him speak about his personal battles.
The emotional encounter took place outside Sheffield's Crucible Theatre last month.
"If you can help one person, that girl for example, that obviously makes it worthwhile, me speaking out. It basically saved her life," Selby said, per The Sun.
Mark Selby reveals emotional conversation with snooker fan who told him he had 'saved her life'PA
The Leicester player has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness in snooker.
The encounter happened as Selby was signing autographs during the green carpet event before the World Championship began.
"I was doing a few autographs and pictures. And this girl came up to me, bless her," Selby explained.
She approached him with a deeply personal revelation.
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Mark Selby recently played at the World Snooker Championship
Getty"She said: 'Mark, can I just say something to you?' Of course, I said," he added.
"She replied: 'I just want to say, I tried to take my own life a little while ago and hearing you speak out made me realise there's more to life and you can get on.'"
Selby described the moment as "quite emotional and touching."
He added: "You never know what's going on behind closed doors."
Selby has been open about his own mental health struggles in recent years.
He takes prescribed medication to combat what he describes as his "inner turmoil."
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Last year was particularly difficult as his wife Vikki underwent radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Around the same time, a close family friend died from cancer at just 44 years old.
"I put on a mask for so many years and people probably looked at me and thought I seemed like the happiest person in the world," Selby admitted.
"You put a front on when you're out there and then when you're behind it all, you're a different person."
He made his struggles public in an emotional social media statement in 2022.
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Mark Selby has been very open about his mental health struggles
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During the Masters tournament in January, Selby and seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan discussed the need for professional mental health support in snooker.
They proposed having a full-time psychologist available backstage for players.
"It's definitely a good idea. It's whether we can make that happen," Selby said.
"Whoever the guy is, they'll have to get funded, so it'll have to come out of somebody's pocket."
The world No 7 believes many players struggle silently with mental health issues: "There will be a lot more players struggling than what we think. It's difficult to speak out at times."
O'Sullivan suggested players could book sessions with a psychologist similar to how they book practice tables.
Selby highlighted why individual sports like snooker can be particularly challenging for mental health.
"In football, you've got the other 10 guys who bring you along. Even if you are feeling down, the team could still win," he explained.
"Whereas in individual sports, if you aren't in the right head space, chances are you won't win."
Mark Selby believes there should be mental health support within snooker
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The constant travel adds another layer of difficulty: "We travel here, there and everywhere, in and out of airports, to hotels. If you're on your own all the time, snooker can be a lonely place.
"Especially if you're going through a bad patch, where you aren't winning games. You're literally going there, getting beaten, going home. It's tough mentally and physically."
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
