‘Got a bit more perspective from it’ - Nat Sciver-Brunt opens up on mental health break

England star all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt has opened up about her mental health break and how seeing a sports psychologist gave her perspective ahead of her return to professional cricket. N

otably, the 30-year-old decided to take some time off cricket in September 2022 after England’s poor performance in the Commonwealth Games. England were confident of their chances of winning the Gold at the but could not bag any, finishing fourth on the table. She later missed the series against India as she stated herself to be ‘emotionally fatigued’.

The cricketer took a much-needed mental health break and revealed she spoke to a clinical psychologist a couple of times.

“The break was something I felt I needed because of the six to 12 months before that. It did get on top of me a little bit. I did things that had been on the to-do list for a year. Just being happy at home, doing normal things: mow the lawn, take the dog for a walk," Sciver-Brunt was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“I spoke to a clinical psychologist a couple of times and tried to reflect on things, especially the Commonwealth Games, how that went and how that affected me which is probably the main trigger for needing to go home. Since then I haven't spoken to her but felt like I have got a bit more perspective from it and am able to, not recover from things, but just deal with things that come my way,” she added.

Guess the WPL coincided with me feeling in a good place with my cricket: Sciver-Brunt

The England international was one of the most expensive signings in the WPL auction and she went on to make a massive impact for the Mumbai Indians side. Speaking about her WPL journey and her mental health status at that time, Sciver-Brunt mentioned that it was at the exact time when she started feeling better.

“I guess the WPL coincided with me feeling in a good place with my cricket and as a person, as well being really happy. I didn't have to dwell on it too much. I didn't have to think about that, just concentrate on the cricket,” she added.