Athletes Breaking the Mold: Mental Health in Sports

With new seasons of football and hockey underway, and basketball on the horizon, fans can expect exciting games and highlights from their favorite players. September and October are one of the few periods of the year when you can see pretty much any sport on TV, even tennis, golf, and baseball. This is any sports fan's paradise, but the beginning and end of each season can be a challenging time for the athletes who are participating.

Many of us face difficulties when looking to a new beginning, or wrapping up a chapter in our lives; it can be a time for reflection and planning for what comes next. These periods can also be partnered with some difficult emotions. Athletes face these same pressures and more as they must process these emotions under the scrutiny of the public eye. What most don’t consider is that athletes living their lives in the public eye makes their reactions all the more relevant. What athletes choose to say and do when facing emotional challenges can reflect on the culture of the sport they play, and can impact the attitudes that their fellow players and fans form about them.

First and foremost, the organizations supporting these athletes are responsible for their well-being and establishing a healthy working environment. With that being said, the policies of these sports organizations can be impacted when athletes address their struggles publicly. This brings us to the topic we’re discussing today: we want to recognize those who have helped shape the culture of mental health awareness in sports and recount some stories of brave athletes who broke the mold when speaking about their struggles for the betterment of the community.

We have talked previously, at length, about the strides that corporations such as MLB or the NFL have taken to improve their mental health practices. In the past, players suffered in silence and fought off their mental demons alone. Toxic standards that dominated the industry saw emotion as weakness, and taking time for yourself as selfish. It has taken many years, some tragedies, and upsets for players to finally say enough is enough and demand that their mental struggles be taken seriously.

Thankfully, the world has become more open to discussing mental health, meaning more and more athletes have been able to find their voices and make themselves known. From this, they become beacons of light for others who struggle; not only for fans but their fellow players as well. We all need role models, and because mental health concerns are so pervasive in our society, to see mental health awareness normalized even in our heroes can help remove stigma and ease feelings of isolation.

One in four adults in the US will suffer from mental health struggles, and just because someone is a professional athlete doesn’t mean that they’re exempt from this statistic. Micheal Phelps, for example, struggled with suicidal ideation and depression following his Olympic showings and had turned to substance abuse amid the height of his career. He went online to encourage his followers not to wait to seek help, sending a poignant message about caring for yourself.

Another example is Serena Williams, who despite being one of the most successful tennis stars of all time has suffered from depression for well over 10 years. Both online and during press events, she speaks candidly about her issues with postpartum depression and feelings of inadequacy as a mother. This honest approach to discussing mental health, especially in motherhood, had a ripple effect on other young women and helped to influence the culture that we are beginning to see now.

Even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, former college football player and wrestler, spoke about his struggles with anxiety and depression after a career-ending injury changed the trajectory of his life. He even chose to include details about his mental health struggles in his TV show, and following the number of positive reactions he received, took time to remind his followers that one of the keys to healing is to open up, alluding to the idea that men especially are prone to not allow their struggles to be seen.

One case that particularly resonates with us is that of Naomi Osaka, a Japanese tennis player who withdrew from the 2021 French Open citing ongoing mental health issues since the start of her career in 2018. She struggled with anxiety leading up to her final matches and decided it was best to withdraw. Sadly, speaking out and caring for herself came at a price; she lost out on the title and was also fined over $15,000 for missing press obligations. Though this may be discouraging for some, Osaka used the opportunity for good and chose to speak about why she struggled and encouraged her fans to care for themselves first.

Fellow Olympian Simone Biles also demonstrated the importance of taking time off to manage mental health when she withdrew from the 2020/2021 Tokyo Olympics. After a two-year hiatus, weekly visits to a licensed therapist, and plenty of rest, she now states that she is ready for her much-anticipated return to gymnastics. Though at the time seeing such a strong woman step away from her passion was difficult for fans, many heralded her choice as brave and wise. By choosing to prioritize her well-being, she sent a clear message to young athletes like her.

Another notable figure who largely shaped the policy of the NBA around mental health, in particular, is DeMar DeRozan, who we've mentioned before. He began speaking about his struggles with off-season depression back in 2018, and since then has become one of the most outspoken advocates for mental health awareness among his peer group. He believes that sharing his struggles with his audience and fellow athletes can give them much-needed hope. In many of his posts and press releases, he normalizes mental health struggles and speaks about the expectations in the industry that negatively affect athletes.

These are only some of the most famous athletes who have spoken out, and though there are so many more examples and lessons to learn from these superstars, the message is clear: mental health matters. Not only to the athletes who have worked hard to hone their craft and give their lives to the sports they love, but the organizations, the media, and most importantly the fans. Their experiences and the courage they show in speaking out, stepping back, and normalizing the struggles we all face when handling mental health challenges are slowly but surely morphing the standards of the industry.

Though we can’t say that this alone will create the change needed to protect and uplift all of the athletes who struggle, it's a powerful place to start. By being candid, honest, and open, they have provided a light for those who might have hidden a few years ago, and have laid a path for those who come after them. They have demonstrated and have begun to create a blueprint for the next generation of athletes to put themselves and their mental health first.