It took us a lot of time to talk about the importance of mental health and sensitively deal with those who saw a downfall in their mental health. But as they say in Hindi, ‘Der Aaye Durust Aaye’.
Recently in an interview, ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli highlighted how even the best and the strongest of minds need to take some time off so that they don’t burn out.
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Star Sports shared a promo video of Virat’s interview with them wherein he bared his heart out and spoke about the times he struggled with mental health issues and how he championed to come back stronger.
“10 saal me pehli baar mainey 1 mahina bat nhi chua hai. (I haven’t touched the bat for a month in 10 years.) I came to the realization that I was kind of trying to fake the intensity of it, but your body is telling you to stop, your mind is telling you to take a break and step back.”
“This period taught me a lot of things that I was not allowed to come to the surface. But when it came, I embraced it.”
He further adds that even the toughest of guys like him can be mentally exhausted.
“I am looked at as a guy who has been mentally very strong and I am. But everyone has a limit and you need to recognize that limit otherwise things can get unhealthy for you. I am not shy to admit that I was feeling mentally down and this is a very normal thing to feel.”
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Further on, he says that we don’t want to admit that we are mentally not healthy as we don’t want people to look at us as weak.
“We don’t speak because we are hesitant. We don’t wanna be looked at as mentally weak or weak people. Trust me, faking to be strong is far worse than admitting to being weak.
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Here’s the powerful video:
It's @imVkohli like you've never seen him before as he opens up to his fans in a special episode of Virat: Heart To Heart.
Catch it today at 5 PM on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar.#KingKohli #TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2022 | #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/3GaIJ24SKe
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 27, 2022
People lauded him for courageously talking about his low phases and are waiting for the G.O.A.T to rise again.
No matter form, you have millions of eyes waiting to see you with a bat this Sunday, go well king <3 @imVkohli #ViratKohli𓃵 https://t.co/Tpceh41pZI
— priti m (@Pr1tii) August 27, 2022
Love you King @imVkohli ❤️ You are a real legend. It takes so much strength to talk about what you have been through. We all believe in you. Virat Kohli will dominate the world of cricket again for sure! https://t.co/6FtP304saJ
— G ⚡️ (@gurdeep_0701) August 27, 2022
As a fan of Cricket ,As a fan of Mr . Virat's gameplay and above all ,As a counselling psychologist ,I feel proud .
This deed by Virat ,(To come out open ,About his mental health )
Will inspire many people in the Indian social setting . https://t.co/I2ehEpKOV2— Kumaran Kumanan (@KumaranKumanan) August 27, 2022
You never know what he went through in between. I really pray he comes back to form ❣️
Come on Kohli , we back you 🔥 https://t.co/EmmIVXjBmN— JINKISMITA TALUKDAR 🍒 (@45merchandised_) August 27, 2022
Never seen anyone speaking about this issue with this much clarity. He's surely gonna find his mojo back soon.
Proud to stan him🫶 https://t.co/y2fTiBpEC3
— Pankil Sheth (@PankilSheth19) August 27, 2022
Surely, comeback is around the corner ! Go well King 👑 https://t.co/usOv6qkbIl
— ArjuN (@arjun_1611) August 27, 2022
I've been feeling the same… It's hard to admit, but reality hits hard… https://t.co/wXkoooJ95Y
— Akash (@Akash_Tweets__) August 27, 2022
Thankfully he has finally admitted that there indeed is a problem and is not in denial of it. A turnaround in form is round the corner. https://t.co/PhGEqSv4LJ
— WhatsInAName (@Crankpot1) August 27, 2022
#ViratKohli𓃵 admits that he is mentally down and took a month break…. now it's time to roar again #KingKohli @imVkohli Bring us #AsiaCup2022 https://t.co/WZFhqyo1hB
— Thilageswaran k (@Thilageswaran20) August 27, 2022
Come back strong king 👑 https://t.co/wljpWMsHmb
— ░M░e░s░s░i░ (@Campnouballboyy) August 27, 2022
You don’t always have to learn it the hard way. Take a leaf from the life of others who have been down the dark alleys and save yourself the trauma and anxiety by taking some time off for yourself and for the sake of your sanity. Also, we are ready for Virat 2.0.