The Indian Wicket-keeper batsman, MS Dhoni, speaking at a session conducted by MFORE, a non-profit initiative offering Mind Conditioning Programs to achieve peak performance, emphasized on the need to focus on mental health.
“In India, I feel there is still a big issue of accepting that there is some weakness when it comes to the mental aspects, but we generally term it as mental illness. Nobody really says that, when I go to bat, the first 5 to 10 deliveries my heart rate is elevated, I feel the pressure, I feel a bit scared because that’s how everybody feels,” said Dhoni during the session.
MFORE, is non profitable initiative, launched by Dhoni’s Chennai Super King (CSK) teammate Subramaniam Badrinath.
Mental conditioning coach should accompany the team
Speaking further the former Indian Captain said that the role of mental conditioning coach is very crucial these days and he should accompany the team rather than being with the team for just 15 days.
“Mental conditioning coach should not be the one who comes for 15 days, because when you come for 15 days you are only sharing the experience. If the mental conditioning coach is constantly with the player, he can understand what the areas which are affecting his sport are.”
Some big names in the affected list
Mental health is a topic which everyone to encounter in one or more points of time in one’s life.
Cricket has seen of some of the big names affected by the mental health issue, including the recently affected Glen Maxwell who announced that he was taking a break from the game due to the mental issues.
Former England opener Marcus Trescothick was the first high-profile cricketer to deal with mental troubles in 2006, forcing him to retire at the peak of his game.
Sharing his experience, Indian Captain Virat Kohli also included himself in the list who went through the issue in Englad Tour during 2014.
“I think mental health and mental clarity is the most important factor in life; not just in sports. Badrinath and MFORE helping these cricketers will go a long way in them understanding themselves better and going out there and performing despite the conditions and situations being difficult for them,” Kohli said.
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