Cricket is probably one of the toughest sport. Buried in statistics, your numbers are all out there. You have to deal with the black and white of your career publically. It might be a team game, but when you don’t provide something to numbers, you will be called out. When you fall into the infinite loop of self-doubt, every single thing you read or you do can trigger something. Of course, it is different for everyone.
Also, on a high level, this sport demands more travel than any other sport. A lot of people don’t get to see their family for a very long time. Only a few have the privilege to travel alongside family. Kids have schools, wives have their own life too. When everything is apart, living inside a tiny hotel home for months with the company of anxiety is the worst thing.
Again, not everyone dares to deal with all these. Especially, sportsperson. If you are a sportsperson you have to be tough and have thick skin. At least, that’s how the world expects you to be. Thus, some end up bottling up emotions which can be disastrous.
After all, Attractive packages mean nothing when the mind and heart are not in the right space.
There is a growing awareness about mental health, but in most countries, it is still a taboo topic, something the cricketers cannot take to their own families. Meeting a therapist is a solution, but unfortunately, not many get to the point where they realize they need help.
Talking to a friend or family is one thing, but when they cannot relate to what you go through, it makes everything worse.
But when someone like Ben Stokes opens up, it helps many. It makes the world a better place. It tells the world that they are not alone. It makes them relate. It makes them relevant. It tells everyone that he is human too. Of course, it takes him closer to the fans. Once a hero. Always a hero.
Get well soon, Ben Stokes.
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