Graham Thorpe took his own life after two-year battle with depression

Graham Thorpe’s family has revealed the 55-year-old took his own life following a long battle with depression and anxiety.

In an interview with the Times, Thorpe’s wife Amanda and their two daughters, Kitty, 22, and Emma, 19, said that the great England batsman died by suicide last Sunday.

Thorpe attempted to take his own life in May 2022 and, despite treatment, remained seriously ill.

“For the past couple of years, Graham had been suffering from major depression and anxiety,” Amanda said. “This led him to make a serious attempt on his life in May 2022, which resulted in a prolonged stay in an intensive-care unit.

“Despite glimpses of hope and of the old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times got very severe. We supported him as a family and he tried many, many treatments but unfortunately none of them really seemed to work.

“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health. But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone. Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better.

“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”

Her daughter, Kitty, added: “We are not ashamed of talking about it. There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma. We were trying to help him get better before and trying to protect him, which is why we said nothing. This is the time now to share the news, however horrible it is. We’ve wanted to be able to talk and share and we’d now like to raise awareness, too.

“He had loved life and he loved us but he just couldn’t see a way out. It was heartbreaking to see how withdrawn he had become. He was not the same person. It was strange to see this person trapped in the body of Dad. That’s why we’ve been so happy that the many reflections have been about his life before this illness took over. I’m glad that’s how everyone does remember him, rightly so, as the complete character he was.”

The Surrey coroner will begin an inquest into Thorpe’s death on Tuesday.

Tributes have poured in for Thorpe, who played 100 Tests for England between 1993 and 2005 and was a huge figure at his county, Surrey. He worked as England’s batting coach until early 2022, when he lost his job after an Ashes defeat in Australia.

SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION

Where to get help:
• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
• What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737
• Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call or text 1737
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission