Dev1ce Opens Up About Mental Health And A Future At NiP
After a topsy-turvy year at Ninjas in Pyjamas, following his shocking exit from a half-a-decade long Astralis project, reports surfaced that CS:GO legend Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz was set to return to his former organisation amid a range of off and on the field problems. However, the 24-year-old Dane has now claimed that he's going nowhere, apart from taking a short break from competing as the year concludes.
Dev1ce Denies Astralis Return Rumours
Following a report that suggested that recent performances of NiP and the personal circumstances around his living situation both contributed to him wanting to return to Denmark, and subsequently Astralis, Dev1ce took to social media to claim he's not going anywhere - apart from taking a short break.
The AWPer tweeted a five-part statement in which he openly admitted taking a break from CS:GO over the Christmas period, and that he will be staying at NiP.
"All of these nonsense reports of me leaving the team, are exactly that, nonsense," he continued, before opening up on the impact of his mental health.
Dev1ce Opens Up About Mental Health
"My mental health has taken a hammering this year, for both personal reasons and the pressure that comes with playing professional esports. NIP and my teammates have been very understanding in letting me work on my mental well-being for the end of the year," Dev1ce said.
The mental health of esports professionals, especially those of CS:GO players, has been widely discussed during the pandemic, as hectic schedules were pushed through online with no escape for players to use. Stalwarts such as Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer and Lukas "gla1ve" Rossander have both been open about taking breaks and time out of the game to refresh, and Dev1ce is now planning on doing the same.
"I have been taking active steps toward recovery and am looking forward to putting in the work that will enable me to get back to the top of my game and be the best version of myself.
"When anyone is having issues surrounding the health of their mind I believe that it’s imperative they’re given time and space to deal with them."
Dev1ce's time off could see him return in the new year ready for the Intel Extreme Masters XVI - Katowice, which begins on February 15.