SAS Australia stars Candice Warner and Sabrina Frederick have thrown their support behind co-star Mitchell Johnson, after he quit the show following his admission he suffers from depression.
Candice paid tribute to Mitchell and his openness in a post she shared to Instagram after the tense scenes aired on Tuesday night’s episode.
‘Mitch is such an incredible human. Losing him from our team tonight was a huge blow. He showed so much strength, fight and courage throughout his time on the course and was always caring for others,’ she said.
Supportive: SAS Australia stars Candice Warner and Sabrina Frederick have thrown support behind co-star Mitchell Johnson (pictured) after he quit the tough series on Tuesday night, following his admission he suffered from depression
Candice went on to praise Mitch and his family personally.
‘When Mitch was playing cricket I had the privilege of touring with him and his beautiful family. You won’t meet a more dedicated athlete, husband and father.’
She finished by saying he should be ‘proud’ of what he achieved and added that he was a ‘national treasure’ in the post.
Sabrina was equally inspired by Mitchell, with a gushing post about what an absolute ‘machine’ he is on the cricket pitch.
Got his back: ‘Mitch is such an incredible human. Losing him from our team tonight was a huge blow. He showed so much strength, fight and courage throughout his time on the course and was always caring for others,’ Candice (pictured) wrote
‘Getting to meet you in person and see you live up to the guy I saw bowl out so many was an honour,’ the AFLW star wrote.
‘Love you legend,’ she finished.
Mitchell candidly discussed his battle with depression during Monday’s episode of the hit reality show.
Candid: Sabrina (pictured) wrote: ‘Getting to meet you in person and see you live up to the guy I saw bowl out so many was an honour’
During an interrogation with directing staff Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham and Ollie Ollerton, Mitchell explained that his lack of confidence stemmed from professional cricket no longer helping him ‘block’ his struggles with mental health.
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On Tuesday’s episode, an exhausted Mitchell Johnson broke down in tears and quit during a gruelling challenge.
Mitchell was carrying a log with his teammates, when he let go and doubled over.
Brave: Mitchell informed viewers of his backstory on Monday, saying: ‘In 2011 in South Africa, I just wasn’t enjoying myself. I wasn’t enjoying being a professional cricketer and, I guess, being looked at and judged all the time’
‘I just think I’m in that transition now where I’ve been out of playing cricket for two years. I found out I got depression. But I think the depression is something I’ve had from even a younger age,’ he said
Chief instructor Ant Middleton approached the recruit and asked him whether he wanted to continue with the show.
‘What decision are you going to make? Make a decision now! You get back on that log or you give me your number,’ he ordered, as Mitchell broke down in tears.
After managing to pull himself together, Mitchell ran to catch up with his teammates, but as he neared them, he stopped.
Turning to face Ant, Mitchell silently pulled off his armband and handed it over to Ant, signalling the end of his time on the show.
At his limit: An exhausted Mitchell Johnson broke down in tears and quit during a gruelling challenge
Back at base camp, Mitchell made an emotional phone call to his wife, Jessica Bratich, telling her he was ‘done’.
He then broke down in tears, sobbing into the phone as he confessed: ‘I just couldn’t do it… I just thought mentally I’d be a bit stronger, that’s all.’
For confidential mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Who will go the distance? SAS Australia continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven
Source: Daily Mail
