“Took his own life,” Graham Thorpe’s family opens up about his battle with depression

Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe passed away last week, leaving the cricketing world in shock. Known for his resilience on the field, Thorpe faced a much tougher battle off it—one that ultimately led to his tragic death. His family has now shared that Thorpe had been struggling with mental health issues for several years and, unable to continue fighting, took his own life.

Thorpe’s Struggle with Mental Health

  • Long-Term Battle: Thorpe’s wife, Amanda, revealed that he had been suffering from severe depression and anxiety for the past couple of years. In May 2022, he made a serious attempt on his life, resulting in a prolonged stay in an intensive care unit. Despite glimpses of his old self, his mental health continued to deteriorate.
  • Family Support: His family supported him through various treatments, but nothing seemed to bring lasting relief. Amanda emphasized that despite his physical health and mental strength on the field, Thorpe’s mental illness was a real and debilitating condition.

Raising Awareness

  • Daughter’s Efforts: Thorpe’s daughter, Kitty, has decided to speak out about her father’s struggles to raise awareness about mental health. She emphasized that there is no shame in discussing mental illness and hopes that sharing their story will help others who are suffering.