'Losing my dad has given me a new appreciation of cricket and I’ve found a lot of determination to do my best because that was all he ever wanted me to do' - Jos Buttler
It's Men's Mental Health Awareness Month and we're turning our attention to the struggles that people face in their lives, and the importance of encouraging open conversations.
Our athletes have spoken candidly about their own challenges, from Ben Stokes taking a break from cricket to protect his mental health, to Jason Roy choosing to miss the Indian Premier League in order to prioritise precious time with his family.
For another of our athletes, Jos Buttler, this has been a year of highs on the cricket pitch, but he has experienced difficult moments away from the field following the death of his father in August.
"It happened during the Hundred and it was quite raw," said Jos. "He hadn’t been well for a while but it was still a shock when he passed away.
"A few people who have been through the same experience said: ‘Don’t judge yourself for how you feel. There will be times when you feel happy and you’re having a good time. Don’t think you shouldn’t because your dad passed away four weeks ago.’
"It’s also OK to feel sad. Don’t just ignore it, you’ve got to try to deal with it. So I’m taking it slow and we’ll see how it goes."
Jos' parents have been integral to his cricket career and this year's sad news have brought into focus just how much they have supported him in his journey to the top of his sport.
"It’s been a tough time but it’s given me a deeper appreciation for how much he and my mum did for me," he said.
"I still really want to win and you feel disappointed when you don’t do well. But it’s not the be-all and end‑all as the loss of a parent really gives that perspective.
"Losing my dad has given me a new appreciation of cricket and I’ve actually found a lot of determination to do my best because that was all he ever wanted me to do," he added.
"Now, every time I play I find myself looking at the sky quite a lot and imagine him watching down.
"He would have loved [when England set their world‑record T20 score of 304 for two against South Africa].
"He’d have been glued to the TV. He was a very nervous watcher, in the latter years, but he’d have recorded it and replayed it the next day."
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