More and more athletes are speaking up about the importance of mental health and how important it is not only for athletic performance but for overall wellbeing. Elite athletes and Olympians like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Naomi Osaka have all broadened the conversation on mental health, addressing stigma and showing their legions of fans that it’s OK to not be OK.
While there has along been a stigma around mental health in general, it’s fair to say the judgment is even worse in the world of sports. Elite athletes rely on their individual strength, talent, determination, and hard work to earn their success; for a long time, admitting that they were struggling mentally would have been unthinkable. Asking for help? No way.
Now, thanks to the advocacy and openness of Biles, Phelps, Osaka, and other athletes and celebs, that’s no longer the case. Athletes, coaches, and athletic organizations now recognize the importance of mental health to keep athletes feeling positive and performing at their best. And it’s working: according to a 2023 report, NCAA student-athletes are reporting fewer mental health concerns than in previous years. We still have a long way to go, but athletes who advocate for mental health on the world’s biggest stage — the Olympics — are helping to create real change. Ahead, read about the inspiring mental health journeys of these 11 boundary-breaking Olympians.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental illness or thoughts of suicide, resources are available to help. Call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis LifeLine and visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website for more information.
This article was originally published on sheknows.com.