Ginninderra quick Jak Willcox has been inundated with messages in the last two years since telling friends and family of his depression battle.
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Many of those have been offers of unwavering support for the 25-year-old, such as the help he received instantly from teammate Rhys Healy, but an increasingly large amount have come from others fighting their own mental demons.
That number grew substantially this year as virus-enforced lockdowns cramped people inside for extended periods, and removed regular avenues of social discourse.
Ahead of Thursday's second annual All Stars For Mental Health clash in Phillip which will feature some of Canberra's best cricketers, Willcox has once more called on people to break their silence and reach out to a mate if need be.
"I was actually very surprised, my close mates were actually having their own troubles which I didn't really know about," Willcox said.
"I went through a lot of my own struggles over the last few years. I was lucky enough to have the support of Rhys and some other close mates and also my family that stuck by me through that. I didn't realise how much other people had struggled that were around me.
"Don't get me wrong - I'd be lying if I said you still don't go through those times where you don't want to do anything. If you do have a trigger point, you can combat that with something proactive to keep yourself going. I only have to send a message to Rhys these days just to say 'Mate, I'm struggling a bit at the moment'."
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone the strongest light yet on mental health throughout the sporting community.
Lifeline Canberra came in and spoke to the Comets squad during the offseason offering advice on how to converse with a friend or family member who reaches out for help.
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Cricket ACT player development manager Leah Mirabella ran weekly sessions with Meteors players before they went into the Women's Big Bash bubble last month.
Meanwhile, Test stars including Mitchell Starc have recently voiced concerns around sporting bubbles, and the effect it has on players' mental wellbeing.
All funds raised from Thursday's T20 clash between the Northern Frenzy and Southern Pride will be donated to Lifeline Canberra.
"The game is a bit of a symbol of people wanting to be heard, and their struggles and the best way to go about it is to have that conversation," Healy said.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO LIFELINE CANBERRA
Lifeline 13 11 14; Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
All Star for Mental Health Match: 4pm, Phillip Oval
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
