Athletes and Mental Health

Just recently, Naomi Osaka, the highest paid female athlete in the world, withdrew from the French Open of Tennis in Paris. This stunned the entire sports industry espeically Tennis. This world renowned athlete discussed her "long bouts of depression" since she won the US open in 2018. As if pressure from competitions weren't enough, many athletes like Naomi have been put under even more pressure by social media expectations, one modern life's biggest stages. These factors surely played a role in contributing to illnesses among some stars. 

Mental health is a real thing. It takes great bravery that these mega athletes come out and use the words like "depression" or "anxiety." Prior to Naomi announcing her condition, Michael Phelps discussed his history with depression and anxiety. Aly Raismon also mentioned her struggle with PTSD and even Brandon Marshall talked about his diagnosis with borderline personality disorder. Basketball players, A'ja Wilson, DeMar DeRozan, and Kevin Love have all spoken about their experience with depression as well. Here were can see more and more athletes coming out and speaking to increase awareness and reduce the stigma. 

WIth more and more althletes speaking about mental health, this leads to the stigma to lessen amongst others experiencing the same issues especially other athletes. Mental health is a very important thing to consider if one is experiencing the symptoms. Mental health is real and a serious condition and for individuals like top atheletes to speak out, takes a lot of courage to do.