Esports broadcaster Eefje ‘Sjokz’ Depoortere has revealed her diagnosis of clinical depression, highlighting mental health issues in esports.
Her post has garnered well-wishes from across the esports community, particularly in the League of Legends and Counter-Strike scenes, where she primarily works.
Encouraging discussion around mental health in esports
Sjokz has been transparent regarding her mental health for several years. Her posts often prompt much-needed discourse around mental health support in the esports industry.
Most recently, on May 29th, she posted an update that she has been officially diagnosed with clinical depression, explaining, “At least now I know why I have not been myself for many years.”
This recent post has prompted the sharing of mental health awareness posts on esports forums. For example, a famous mental health awareness advertisement created by Norwich Football Club in October 2023 was linked in a discussion on Reddit.
Prominent esports teams such as G2 Esports, Fnatic, SK Gaming, and GiantX have also expressed their support for Sjokz online.
Sjokz also shared in her post that she is travelling home to see her father before he passes away due to terminal cancer.
Despite her current challenges, she will be part of the broadcast talent lineup for the Counter-Strike BLAST Austin Major in June.
Sjokz’s well-being journey
Her clinical depression diagnosis is one of many instances where Sjokz has prompted consideration of mental health in esports.
She has openly discussed her history of insomnia as recently as April 2025.
Pinned to her profile on X (formerly Twitter) is a post she made in 2016 after repeatedly receiving comments about dark circles under her eyes. She explains that her long-term struggle with insomnia contributes to them.
In a later post, she affirmed that speaking about it publicly has helped reduce the comments and criticisms she receives.
Unwanted and unwarranted comments towards female broadcast talent have plagued the esports community for many years. Sjokz’s experiences transparently addressing criticism have been echoed by other women in the industry.
Famously, Sjokz also took a significant portion of time off in 2023, withdrawing from her role in the European League of Legends Summer Split that year. At the time, she also cited the need to “take a break to spend time on myself and with my loved ones.”
Industry projects addressing mental health support
British Esports has worked to raise the profile of mental health issues. This includes hosting panel talks on how to improve the approach to mental health in esports.
Popular esports organisation Team Vitality has also dedicated resources to better addressing mental health in the esports industry.
Team Vitality launched the KARE project in collaboration with the Twisten Foundation.
Karel “Twisten,” a 19-year-old professional Valorant player for Team Vitality, tragically took his own life in 2023. Both KARE and the Twisten Foundation are named in his honour.
Sjokz’s openness continues to inspire the community as efforts to support mental well-being in esports grow.
You can support Sjokz on her next broadcast, the BLAST Austin Major, from June 3rd 2025.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
