World Snooker Championship - Mark Selby: Opening up about suicidal thoughts and getting help was ‘biggest achievement’

ByDan Quarrell

Published 30/04/2023 at 18:27 GMT

He may have won four world titles in his decorated career and be in the final hunting a fifth, but for Mark Selby, his biggest achievement has been speaking out about his mental health struggles and depression, and then getting the help he needed. In a candid conversation, Selby admitted "it was the biggest thing I ever did, speaking about it" and that "I wish I had done it a lot sooner".

Mark Selby has told Eurosport that speaking about having suicidal thoughts and getting help for his depression was his "biggest achievement" - more than anything else in his illustrious career.

The 39-year-old, who is playing in the final of the World Championship against Luca Brecel, admitted that his victory at the English Open "meant everything" but that speaking out about his mental health was bigger than anything he has achieved in snooker.

Selby revealed last year that he had been “suffering for a few years” with depression and “bottling everything up” – but felt at the time as though “half the battle is won” after having spoken out about what he was going through.

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He made the decision to speak out after consulting his wife Vicky about the best way to move forward, and he took another major step in his recovery as he clinched the English Open title after having experienced a drought in his snooker career.

"Yeah, it meant everything," Selby reflected as he looked back on his very emotional triumph at the Brentwood Centre. "Obviously because I had gone 18, 19 months of not winning and I spoke out about my mental health.

"To overcome that barrier, and obviously have that mental strength of winning again, I wasn't sure if that was ever going to happen. So to tick that box and realise I can still do it is obviously a great feeling.

"It was the biggest thing I ever did, speaking about it. Obviously, it took me so long to bring it up and sort of come out with it, but looking back now I know what I've done, it has made it easier to deal with and to speak about.

Selby: I've been suffering for years with depression and bottling it up

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"I wish I had done it a lot sooner. That feels as though it is the biggest achievement of anything I have done in snooker.

"From where I was, obviously Vicky knew the situation I was in. I was really low and not knowing what was going to happen, suicidal thoughts and everything like this.

"So to turn that around and try to be in a better place and obviously speak out and get the help I needed, I am thankful for.

"It would definitely be the biggest win in my career, for sure. Better than winning it for the first time against (Ronnie) O'Sullivan - it would be a bigger achievement. So if I could do that then hopefully I could just put that behind me and move forward."

Mark Selby celebrates his English Open 2022 triumph with his family (World Snooker Tour)

Image credit: Eurosport

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