[Cricket] Graham Thorpe RIP

[raymondo]

I know of two suicides of family friends. One of a married father of two adult kids, and the other of an eighteen year old lad in a stable family environment.
I cannot comprehend the circumstances and thoughts that would have driven them to suicide, nor the feeling of utter despair of those left behind .

 

[Doonhamer7]

From the outset old boy I consider we are both on the same side here, and whilst I appreciate the UK is not unique to mental health issues I do feel the Govt (s), both past and present, should be doing more.

Funding an extensive NHS counselling network would be a start, rather than relying on the multi million pound industry the Anti Depressant drug market provides, I would imagine almost everyone who are part of the now record UK adult suicide figures were on some form of medication prior to taking their own life, so clearly in many cases, they don't work, so we need to look at other solutions, ie the counselling route.

im afraid the ’almost everyone’ is so not true - my brother and one of flatmates at Uni took their own life about a year apart with no outward signs, no drugs, no taking to gp, believe me 30 years on I keep thinking did I miss something and could/should I have done more

 

[Weststander]

im afraid the ’almost everyone’ is so not true - my brother and one of flatmates at Uni took their own life about a year apart with no outward signs, no drugs, no taking to gp, believe me 30 years on I keep thinking did I miss something and could/should I have done more

Particularly males, it’s often said. Not used to opening up, inner sadness kept very private.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

There are signs that mental health issues are becoming less automatically seen as 'weakness' compared with 10 or more years ago, in the population. But that's easy for me to say, as someone in one of the soft-handed professions where millions are spent on 'wellbeing management'.

That sounded like a sneer. It was, sort of. Wellbeing management. I couldn't bring myself to engage with such tat. I'm too old to be new school. My bad.

However, forget the privileged. I doubt very much that people we have seen on the streets recently have much if any access to an understanding ear.

And even if you do get help....I'm not sure the quality of the help is adequate. Partly because the NHS mental health professionals don't get to see a representative sample of those in need. And those in need are not the best at articulating the need. Especially working class men.

And 'man up' is still considered an appropriate response to anyone showing signs of 'weakness'.

RIP, cricket man.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Well done to the Thorpe Family for being so open about his illness and mental state. They are extremely brave.

 

[Eeyore]

Well done to the Thorpe Family for being so open about his illness and mental state. They are extremely brave.

Although it does trouble me that they may have been forced to do so regardless given that the inquests into such deaths are open. It's now been revealed by the tabloids how he died. I really, really hope that the media didn't force their hand. If I knew what happened I certainly wouldn't have published it.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Although it does trouble me that they may have been forced to do so regardless given that the inquests into such deaths are open. It's now been revealed by the tabloids how he died. I really, really hope that the media didn't force their hand. If I knew what happened I certainly wouldn't have published it.

Reading what his family have said, on the BBC, it doesn’t appear they’ve been forced.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

RIP Thorpy

Not only a great player but he also developed in to a very decent batting coach, having an input into many of today's England test stars.

The only blemish I can recall was that memorable slower ball from Courtney Walsh - that said, he was braver than many, for just being out there facing it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gra...ate=ive&vld=cid:d3855d70,vid:EN3dIYpf6bI,st:0

 

[Razzoo]

Tragic, RIP.

 

[OzMike]

Alan Mullally has had to face his mental health demons as well.

Mullally's rally

In his mum's little house in Perth, a former England bowler recovers from troubled times and tells his tales

www.thecricketmonthly.com

 

[lasvegan]

There are signs that mental health issues are becoming less automatically seen as 'weakness' compared with 10 or more years ago, in the population. But that's easy for me to say, as someone in one of the soft-handed professions where millions are spent on 'wellbeing management'.

That sounded like a sneer. It was, sort of. Wellbeing management. I couldn't bring myself to engage with such tat. I'm too old to be new school. My bad.

However, forget the privileged. I doubt very much that people we have seen on the streets recently have much if any access to an understanding ear.

And even if you do get help....I'm not sure the quality of the help is adequate. Partly because the NHS mental health professionals don't get to see a representative sample of those in need. And those in need are not the best at articulating the need. Especially working class men.

And 'man up' is still considered an appropriate response to anyone showing signs of 'weakness'.

RIP, cricket man.

Well said…

One of my best friends from school committed suicide. The last time we met up was on a visit back home, at The Nevill. Knew something was up but couldn’t put my finger on it. Didn't push him on it…probably didn’t realize where he was really at mentally.

Think of him constantly.

 

[Weststander]

A poignant and relevant piece on R5 just now, started at 10:02.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_five_live

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is a very tragic story but I admire his family for being so open about it. I cannot say I know anything about Graham Thorpe other than his name, but for someone who knows f*** all about cricket, the fact I know his name means he was very good. His tale has echos of Robert Enke's short life, there is a book by Ronald Reng called A life too Short which was originally intended to be his (ghost written) autobiography but turned into something else, it's a tough read at times but gives some insight into mental illness.

 

[Marshy]

heartbreaking :-(

 

[The Clamp]

Very sad indeed. Just caught up on today’s news.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

There are less intrusive ways to go. I hope the train driver knew nothing of it.
A sad end to a magnificent career. RIP Thorpey. All cricket fans will remember you fondly.