Athletes in 2021 are changing the mental health game. Sports players all over the world are putting themselves and their mental stability ahead of their careers and social noise as they have realized that their craft is theirs for a reason. Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and many more professional athletes have spoken to the public about why mental health is so important and how it affects their game on a larger scale.
The world audience places an extreme amount of pressure on professional athletes because they are considered idols and entertainers to many because of their outstanding athletic abilities. Simone says, “I say put mental health first. Because if you don’t, then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to. So it’s OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself, because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are — rather than just battle through it.”
Mental health awareness is extremely important in all aspects of life. As black women continue to show their strength and courage to their global audiences, more actions will be taken in efforts to support the needs of women, athletes, and people of color around the world. The world is becoming more attentive to the necessary change within the professional athlete lifestyle, in which more organizations and companies will be able to promote and amplify the need for stability within their careers throughout the future.
-Samantha Saffold