Mitchell Johnson reveals he has been suffering depression since he was a young boy

Mitchell Johnson candidly discussed his battle with depression on Monday night’s episode of SAS Australia.

The former cricketer was left noticeably panicked and upset after he froze and failed to ‘shoot the enemy’ during the earlier challenge.

During an interrogation with directing staff Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham and Ollie Ollerton, the 38-year-old explained that his lack of confidence stemmed from professional cricket no longer helping him ‘block’ his struggles with mental health. 

Brave: Mitchell Johnson [pictured] candidly discussed his battle with depression on Monday night’s episode of SAS Australia

Mitchell informed viewers of his backstory, 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 took everything personally. I was physically exhausted, and I was mentally exhausted, as well.’

During his interrogation, Mark and Ollie asked why his demeanour had entirely changed following the gruelling earlier challenge.

‘I just thought about it too much, just the lead-up of it.’

Struggles: The former cricketer was left noticeably panicked and upset after he froze and failed to ‘shoot the enemy’ during the earlier challenge

Candid: During an interrogation with directing staff Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham and Ollie Ollerton [both pictured], the 38-year-old explained that his lack of confidence stemmed from professional cricket no longer helping him ‘block’ his struggles with mental health

Ollie informed him: ‘It’s about making decisions when everything around you is falling apart!’

Explaining himself further, Mitchell continued: ‘I picked up the weapon and then panic set in. I struggle with confidence at times.

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‘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’.

His story: Explaining why his demeanour changed during the earlier challenge, Mitchell said: ‘I just thought about it too much, just the lead-up of it. I picked up the weapon and then panic set in. I struggle with confidence at times’

Mitchell added: ‘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’

Mitchell bravely continued: ‘Cricket blocked things out in a way. It sort of hid the depression, but there were a lot of times where you go back to your room, you’re away from family, and you start to dwell on things.

‘Through my career, I just dealt with it. It’s just about me know, moving forward and taking it upon myself to be active with certain things and to keep my mind going’.

Mark reassured him: ‘That’s exactly what you’re doing. You’ve got to put your mind somewhere else. 

‘Take every day as it comes, and don’t be afraid to push forward and go for it’.

SAS Australia continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven 

For confidential mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. 

Mitchell bravely continued: ‘Cricket blocked things out in a way. It sort of hid the depression, but there were a lot of times where you go back to your room, you’re away from family, and you start to dwell on things’

Mark reassured him: ‘That’s exactly what you’re doing. You’ve got to put your mind somewhere else. Take every day as it comes, and don’t be afraid to push forward and go for it’

Source: Daily Mail