WADE CALLS FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN DARTS

JAMES WADE has urged the Professional Darts Players Association to take stronger action in supporting players struggling with their mental health.

World No.8 Wade revealed that high-profile stars regularly confide in him during difficult periods because they feel they have no trusted outlet to turn to. 

‘The Machine’ was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at 27-years-old.  

Wade believes those in charge must take greater responsibility for safeguarding players’ wellbeing on and off the tour. 

He told The Observer: “I get players talking to me when they don’t feel very well.  

“I’m happy to do it, but there should be somewhere [where] they feel they can talk to someone and trust someone.  

“We’re talking high-profile players. The PDPA is not [doing] anything worthwhile, because they don’t represent us, they don’t understand a lot of things. It needs to be an active rather than a passive thing.

“We all keep saying it needs to be spoken about more, but it needs to be people who actually have it, talking about the real bits.   

“It is normal to feel completely confused. I want to tell my 20-year-old self it’ll be all right. Don’t try so hard. Don’t be desperate to please everyone, to try and be popular.   

“If you look after yourself and slow down a little bit, everything falls into place. But I wouldn’t have listened at that age.   

“I was so insecure and busy and chaotic – I still am now, but not as bad. Life is fucking hard.” 

Cameron Menzies injured his hand at the World Championship after punching the table three times following a defeat to Charlie Manby in December. 

The Scot later admitted he was so shaken by the incident that he considered quitting the sport altogether. 

Menzies revealed Wade was one of the first to check in on him. 

He added: “He was the first dart player that actually asked me, ‘how do you feel?’. I tried to give him a cuddle and he punched me in the ribs so he doesn’t like cuddles. 

“I did an exhibition in Twickenham with James. He was the first dart player that actually asked me ‘how do you feel’. 

“He said ‘I don’t want your fake answers’. He has his own issues. He knows more than anybody else what life can do. 

“He genuinely gave me a proper look in the eyes and said ‘are you OK’. 

“I said to him ‘you’re the first person who’s actually meant it’.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.