Watson goes into bat for mental health awareness

SHANE Watson has made the mental health of Australia’s cricketers his No.1 priority as he takes over as players’ boss.

In the space of a week, Australia has had Glenn Maxwell and Nic Maddinson stand down from national teams due to struggles with their mental health, and Watson says it is the game’s responsibility to try to share their burden.

Watson was last night rubber-stamped as the new president — face and voice — of the Australian Cricketers Association and declared cricket would not again tear itself apart like it did in the last pay war.

This collaborative approach has been illustrated by Cricket Australia and the ACA combining forces on mental health research, with a current survey — almost completed — aiming to increase the knowledge bank of the playing group and their wellbeing.

Data from third party mental health consultants Orygen has found that about a quarter of the elite cricketing population is impacted by mental health difficulties, putting the sport on par with the wider population.

Watson — a friend and teammate of the likes of Maxwell, Maddinson, Moises Henriques and Sean Abbott, cricketers who have in recent years taken time out for mental health — has lived the life of the cricketer in the fishbowl.

The 38-year-old says mental health is no longer taboo and says there is plenty cricket can do to look after the headspace of players.

“There’s no question, this is a huge thing for me and something that the ACA and Cricket Australia need to work together to be able to support the players, as much as we have to and try and limit the burden,” Watson said.