Taking an indefinite break from the game to prioritise his mental wellbeing and to rest his injured index finger.

Ben stokes has announced he is taking an indefinite break from all cricket, because of mental health concerns and to rest his injured fingered, which hasn’t healed properly.

Get well soon Stokesy.

A sign of the times,there are probably more people than ever who are having mental problems more than ever nowadays. So sad.

Lost his dad last December.

If that what he needs to do then fine you need to prioritise your own well being above all else.

Hope he gets himself into a better place, and he returns to the game when he's ready.

Has he signed for Yorkshire?

I suspect that the recent news surrounding Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles and Ben Stokes, is just the start of the flood gates opening, where mental health and well-being are concerned. We need to talk about these issues more, a lot more, and its good that elite sportspersons are looking after themselves. Good for them: I wish them all good health and happiness.

J

All the best to him. I just finished watching the documentary series ’The Test’ last night which refreshed my memory of that absolutely unbelievable knock to win the Ashes test match at Headingley.

I wish him the very best of luck.

He’s also extremely fortunate that he’s in a position to be able to take a break and recuperate as many people suffering with mental and physical ill health aren’t.

Yes it's good that these top sports personnel can come out publicly about such issues. It's not so long ago when people would fear a backlash about going public regarding their MH problems. Better to seek help, rather than destroy yourself through drink, drugs or gambling etc.

conyoviejo wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:20 pm

A sign of the times,there are probably more people than ever who are having mental problems more than ever nowadays. So sad.

No they weren't discussed in the Sixties and seventies. You had to crack on in Silence and resort to drug and Alcohol abuse to escape stigma. Getting P!ssed and Taking drugs seems acceptable now as it did Then. Theres not more people now....theres more Help and understanding.

Certainly true that there's more understanding and a greater willingness to listen and greater encouragement to talk. I suspect the pressures on elite sportsperson is greater now then ever before with the growth of social media.
It's a pity that a couple of posters on this thread want to try and make a joke about Stokes.

If only all careers allowed folk the ability to take indefinite leave due to their health problems

*This is in no way a 'dig' at the celebrities that have recently announced their breaks from their relevant careers.

It will become more common in elite cricketers as they are being worked more and more as others can make a lot of money out of them.

Same with footballers but that has been on the increase for years and they have far more support teams in place.

Has Piers Morgan had anything to say, he seems to be an expert on mental health at the minute and is a huge Stokes fan…

I wish him all the best, very brave for someone like Stokes as he’s seen as a bit of a hard man so it breaks the stigma hopefully

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 31, 2021 11:41 am

Has Piers Morgan had anything to say, he seems to be an expert on mental health at the minute and is a huge Stokes fan…

I wish him all the best, very brave for someone like Stokes as he’s seen as a bit of a hard man so it breaks the stigma hopefully

Says it’s different with Stokes due him dropping out before the series starts

Local cricketer wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 31, 2021 12:12 pm

Says it’s different with Stokes due him dropping out before the series starts

Plus he’s male

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 31, 2021 12:36 pm

Plus he’s male

I didn’t want to add that bit. Wouldn’t want to trigger the woke society

I watched a really good movie last night about the Borg-Mcenroe rivalry in the early 1980's, and even that long ago mental health was an issue, however whether it was given the correct consideration in those times I don't know, there was scenes where a young Borg was shown with his coach, and the coaches behaviour would have quite rightly caused outrage today, and it can't be a coincidence that BB retired from the sport at such a tender age, he was only 26, and although he had fame and fortune he clearly wasn't fulfilled in life, and the constant media scrutiny must have grated on him, he wouldn't be human if it didn't.

Regarding John Mcenroe they were a few brief scenes that showed him with his therapist, so there clearly was support structures in place even all those decades ago, but I do agree that the stigma around mental health has improved in recent years, and this has enabled more people in the public eye to be open about their problems.

Society in general has become much more aware of mental health, and this can only be a good thing, if anybody can talk about their concerns openly, and get help, that's surely better than bottling up your emotions, or in the worst case scenario resorting to drink and drugs to cope with life.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 31, 2021 11:37 am

It will become more common in elite cricketers as they are being worked more and more as others can make a lot of money out of them.

Same with footballers but that has been on the increase for years and they have far more support teams in place.

I agree with the workload of elite cricketers and I'm sure there is a link between physical burn out and mental health.

However, these players make their own choice in playing in T20 leagues around the world for big sums of money. They aren't slaves, nobody is forcing them.

why are so many people interested in what gobshite piers (piers ffs) morgan has to say?

TheFamilyCat wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:40 pm

I agree with the workload of elite cricketers and I'm sure there is a link between physical burn out and mental health.

However, these players make their own choice in playing in T20 leagues around the world for big sums of money. They aren't slaves, nobody is forcing them.

That's a good point. Instead of going to play in the IPL maybe have a break and spend some time with your family instead? So much of top level sport is pure greed these days.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 31, 2021 8:18 pm

That's a good point. Instead of going to play in the IPL maybe have a break and spend some time with your family instead? So much of top level sport is pure greed these days.

He’s having a break with his family now.

Yes, humans are attracted to money.

But most cricketers are used to giving their all for 6 months. International ones have a tour as well.

These elite ones will burn out though, they think they can handle everything until it's too late.