English cricketer Ben Stokes reveals being on anxiety medication as he opens up about his struggles with mental health

In his new documentary film, cricketer Ben Stokes has opened up on battle with anxiety, how he endured the struggle, and how he dealt with panic attacks. He has also revealed he was on anxiety medications.

Ben Stokes' revelations have garnered appreciation from everywhere. Joe Root, a close friend, has praised him for doing the right thing and believes that these revelations will help many people to get over the stigmas associated with mental health.

Be it good or bad, Ben Stokes wanted each and every aspect of his struggle to be included in the documentary.

In 2021, Ben took a break for finding it difficult to come to terms with the death of his father in 2020. During this time he even wanted to walk away from the game completely. The 31-year-old’s father, Ged, died of brain cancer and Ben opted out of his sport for six months as he struggled to come to terms with the loss. His father was a former rugby league player and coach.

As per a report by the AFP, Ben allowed himself to be filmed for the documentary even when he was at his lowest ebb.

In an interview to The Telegraph he said, "I find sometimes people are a bit nervous to go into the details about that kind of stuff with me. It’s perceived that you can’t feel a certain way, that’s a sign of weakness to show that you are not mentally feeling great."

“People think they can’t ask people who have struggled. No. It’s fine. I’ll happily tell you as much as I possibly can," he added.

This draws our attention to the fact that mental health can be dealt with if one opens up about it. Health experts also suggest not to bottle up emotions and take help from an expert.

“I never thought I would be on medication to help me with that kind of stuff. I am not embarrassed or ashamed to say it because I needed the help at the time,” he said in the documentary as reported by AFP. “But it’s not done just because I’m back playing. I still speak to the doc, not as regularly, and I’m still taking medication every day. It’s an ongoing process," he adds.

In the documentary he speaks on the issues, how he managed it with medications and professional help.

His friend Joe Root is all in praise about Ben Stokes' documentary. "I think it's exactly what you've come to see from Ben as a leader," he told ESPN.

"How honest he is, what he expects of everyone else is stuff he would be willing to do himself. I think it shows great courage, great bravery to come out and speak openly about that stuff and some of the struggles he has personally been through. We were all there with him going through it, it's not easy to see a close friend and team-mate like that but look at him now. It's great to have him leading this team and making Test cricket so enjoyable to play and to watch," says Joe, who was in contact while Ben was away from the sports.

Joe Root has a very important message for all those who are watching or who will be watching Ben Stokes.

"It's been very powerful watching that documentary - you forget how much he has been through in such a short space of time. It's very brave to lay himself as bare as he has done. It's very powerful for anyone watching, to see someone who at times looks superhuman and can do things that other players can't do - it shows great leadership to put yourself out there and express some of the difficulties he's had to go through," he told ESPN.

Mental health is a thin fabric. It can tear apart very easily. But the problem starts when we tend to repair or stitch it with time and continue with our life.

Gradually, over time the stitched portion of the fabric weakens the overall condition of the fabric.

Mental health should be dealt with professional help.

It is very important for a person to speak about anxiety and other mental issues. One should never seal the emotions or bottle up the feelings. Stagnation kills the overall well being.