The late Graham Thorpe’s spouse believes that if he had received more assistance from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after stepping down from his coaching position, he might still be alive.
Thorpe, a highly regarded batsman of his era and England’s former assistant coach until 2021, tragically took his own life in August last year after battling anxiety and depression for an extended period. During a recent inquest in Woking at Surrey Coroner’s Court, it was revealed that Thorpe had descended into depression following his dismissal as a batting coach in 2022, with a previous suicide attempt also on record.
The coroner, Jonathan Stevens, highlighted deficiencies in the care provided to Thorpe by healthcare professionals in the lead-up to his death, ultimately ruling it as suicide. Thorpe had been undergoing mental health therapy for 18 months prior to his departure from the ECB.
Stevens acknowledged that the ECB had supported Thorpe post his exit in February 2022 by funding treatments, hospital stays, and extending his health insurance coverage. Nonetheless, Amanda Thorpe, his widow, expressed her belief that more could have been done to assist him in feeling more connected during this transitional phase.
During an interview with talkSPORT, she mentioned that had Thorpe not felt completely uprooted from his cricketing career, he might still be alive today, emphasizing the importance of a supportive environment during such transitions.
Amanda Thorpe criticized the remote support offered, describing it as inadequate and insufficient.
She remarked, “As he went through these sessions, it was clear that he wasn’t coping. He was getting worse. We really did ask for help. I knew he needed more help than that and it wasn’t forthcoming.”
The ECB has been approached for a response.
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