Adrian Morley: Wigan investment can help prevent future Terry Newton tragedies
Adrian Morley says a massive cash investment into supporting mental health in Wigan is particularly poignant given the tragic loss of Warriors hero Terry Newton.
The duo came through the ranks together at Leeds Rhinos before Newton joined his hometown club in 2000.
Morley and Newton also played together at Test before the latter's passing in 2010 at the tender age of 31.
And Morley - who now works for the 'Rugby League Cares' charity - is helping to ensure the Terry Newtons of tomorrow are given better and quicker help if ever they need it.
"The suicide rate in Wigan is particularly high," said Morley. "It's been 15 years since we lost Terry, he was a very, very good friend of mine.
"If we can stop tragedies like that happening in the future, that's what it's all about. It is very fitting that we are doing this in Wigan, because Terry was very much 'Mr Wigan' in everything he did.
"Mental ill-health doesn't discriminate, it can affect anyone and everyone. As sad as it was and still is, if Terry's story can help save someone from doing the same, it will at least mean something.
"He was the hardest player I ever played with in my career, and you wouldn't have thought someone like that would be affected by mental ill-health.
"But it does, everyone needs help, and that's the message we're trying to get across."
Wigan and Wakefield have been earmarked for projects involving a government investment of more than £330,000, which will lead to even greater steps forward in ensuring fewer boys and young men are left vulnerable to isolation.
The two Rugby League Cares pilot programmes will reach 1,300 boys and young men by March 2026.
The first programme, Offload, is designed to give men aged 16-24 who are at risk of isolation a safe environment to open up without pressure or judgement, while developing the tools they need to look after themselves and contribute positively to their communities.
The second, the Movember Ahead of the Game programme, will use rugby to deliver sport-focused mental health training to younger boys aged 11-18, along with parents, carers and youth workers.
Morley says there are always 'signs' that we can pick up to help anyone feeling vulnerable.
"There are signs, and the programme we're putting out tries to educate people on how to spot the signs of people suffering," he added.
"We want people to check on other people more, keep talking, ask the question, listen to the answer, and don't be scared to mither and ring and text.
"Spotting signs is what it's all about, and that's where the support is geared towards."