Marcus Trescothick urges more sports stars to speak about mental health struggle
The former England cricketer was been made an OBE for services to mental health.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former England batsman Marcus Trescothick has called for more sports stars to open up about their struggles with mental health.
Trescothick, who was made an OBE for services to mental health on Wednesday, suffered from related issues throughout his career.
After the award ceremony with the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle, he told the PA news agency: “There’s always more that can be done (in sports).
Everything I've gone through helps me in terms of guiding someone else, of talking to somebody else about it
“Of course, more research and funding will help. But the more people who are open to telling stories and letting people know they are not alone, then the easier it is. And that’s more help than anything else.
“You’re not unique, you’re not different. It’s just something that people go through.
“The more you can sympathise with people and let them know that you’re there to help, then the better it will be.”
Now a coach with the England national team, Trescothick retired from international duty in 2008 because of his struggles with mental health.
Asked how these issues have influenced his work since, he said: “Hugely. Everything I’ve gone through helps me in terms of guiding someone else, of talking to somebody else about it.
“On a daily basis I’m reliving it with someone, or [during] some interview, or [during] some way of raising awareness.
“The more people that can do that and live to tell the story then the better it’s going to be.
“We know there’ll be many more people who will suffer and do suffer.
“So the more we can continue on in the same fashion, then hopefully in time it will make it easier. We need make sure we break down the barriers.
Trescothick confirmed his plans to continue as batting coach with England and shared his optimism for the future of the national team.
He said: “I’m feeling good (about England).
“There’s a bit of a rest period at the moment for international cricket because of the IPL (Indian Premier League) and then there’s a bit more of a break until the next Test matches.
“The England team have gone well. We’ve got a big summer ahead against West Indies and Sri Lanka in the Test matches.
“The white ball team are playing Pakistan and then the World T20.
“There’s a lot of domestic cricket coming up and obviously then international summer starts in a few weeks.
“So once the sun comes out finally and it stops raining it’s exciting times now.
“From springtime heading into the summer, everybody’s really looking forward to getting back into cricket time.”