"There's definitely been a change over the last two or three years. There's greater understanding but there's obviously still a way to go," Khawaja told AAP.Khawaja is out of the national side in all forms. The 33-year-old speaks about managing the dizzying highs and gutting lows of sport - and how the cricket community's understanding of and attitudes toward mental health has recently changed - with authority.
The left-hander was a national hero and the nation's best batsman when he salvaged a draw in Dubai last year, standing up in the absence of suspended superstars Steve Smith and David Warner.The veteran's World Cup dream was crushed by a hamstring injury on the eve of Australia's semi-final then he was axed during the Ashes; all in the space of four months spent living out of a suitcase in England.
Take nothing away from these MH battles of our sportsmen but to be honest when you’re going through MH challenges as a “regular joe”, with none of the assistance these professional athletes get, constantly hearing how bad they have it just makes my MH issues worse.