Mental health

 

   

 

   "It's really hard": Simone Biles on mental health

   Mental health is the top priority of the Tokyo Olympics.  Here is how some athletes deal with it.

   

   

   Four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Byers withdrew from the team and the all-around finals to prioritize her mental health and safety.

   Sandy Hooper, USA Today

   After Simone Byers left the U.S. women's gymnastics team in the all-around game earlier this week, people around the world continue to raise the conversation about mental health, especially in competitive sports.

   Some athletes, including Michael Phelps, detailed the challenges of invisible diseases including anxiety or depression, reminding people that professional athletes are also "human."  Olympic pressure is especially the "heavy burden on your shoulders," which is not the easiest for you to bear," said Olympian and softball star Osterman.

   Many athletes explain that balancing the pressures of success is not easy, and now more than ever, it is more important than ever to prioritize your own health while enhancing the dialogue around mental health.

   "The Olympics are unstoppable": Michael Phelps says he can understand Simone Byers in Tokyo

   Simone Byers is still a "goat": fans bathe gymnasts with love after the Tokyo Olympics final

   The following are the evaluations of 13 professional athletes on their mental health:

   Simone Byers

   

   Simone Byers (USA) participates in the Women's Gymnastics Qualifying Tournament during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics held at the Ariake Gymnastics Center in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, July 25, 2021.

   

   "I have to put my pride aside. I have to do what suits me and focus on my mental health instead of jeopardizing my health and happiness," she told reporters after she withdrew from the women's team finals on Tuesday.  "That's why I decided to take a step back."

   Michael Phelps

   

   Michael Phelps (United States) played in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Men's 4x100 Medley Relay Final held at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Aquatic Stadium in Brazil on Saturday, August 13, 2016.

   

   "Mental health for the past 18 months has been a topic of discussion," Phelps said in part on the Tokyo Olympics broadcast.  "We are human. No one is perfect. So yes, it doesn't matter if it's abnormal."

   Phelps pointed out his personal mental health challenges in a tweet in May 2019.  "I struggled with anxiety and depression, and questioned whether I still want to live anymore," he wrote.  "When I fell to such a low point, I decided to reach out and seek the help of a licensed therapist. This decision ultimately helped save my life. You don't have to wait for things to happen."

   Naomi Osaka

   

   On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo, Japan, Naomi Osaka (JPN) will face Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) in the third round of women’s tennis singles match.

   

   “I do hope that people can contact and understand that it’s okay to be uncomfortable, and it’s okay to talk about it,” Osaki Naomi wrote in Time magazine earlier this month.  "Someone can help, there will usually be light at the end of any tunnel."

   Cat Osterman

   

   On July 24, 2021, during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics at the Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, American player Cat Osterman (38 years old) pitched in the third inning.

   

   "I think the Olympics is a special situation [...] As an athlete, there is a common concept. If you get less silver medals than silver medals when you go home, it is a disappointment and you think you will go home.  , Suddenly in people’s eyes'less than', I have already experienced this," Osterman said at the recent Tokyo Olympics press conference.  "I have experienced the subsequent negative impact on mental health. I have not talked about these publicly, but as an athlete, when the burden on your shoulders is on your shoulders, if you don’t have the right people  In your corner or you are not using them every day, this is not the easiest thing you can carry yourself."

   Katie Ledkey

  

   Katie Ledecky (USA) celebrates after winning the women's 1500m freestyle final during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at Tokyo Aquatic Center, Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

   

   "Mental health is very important," Ledkey said at the recent Tokyo Olympics press conference.  "Physical health is very important, and being an Olympian is no different."

   Team USA: Athletes express support for gymnast Simon Byers and mental health issues

   Noah Lyles

   

   Noah Lyles (center) participates in the 200m semifinal in the US Olympic team trials at Hayward Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, Saturday, June 26, 2021.

   Kirby Lee, USA Today Sports

   "Mental health is only part of life," Lyles told USA Today in a recent interview.  "Just as you go to the doctor to make sure that your body is okay, the reason you go to see the therapist or talk to someone is to make sure that your mind is okay."

   Sprint: After the toughest year of his career, Noah Lyles tries to have fun again

   April Rose

  

   April Ross (1) played in the preliminaries during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics held at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, July 25, 2020.

   Jack Gruber, USA Today Network

   "I think mental health is important," Ross told USA Today in a recent interview, partly because of this.  "I believe that mental health will translate into physical health and performance."

   Beach Volleyball: April Ross seeks Olympic gold medal in an unconventional way

   Monica Abbott

   

   US starting pitcher Monica Abbott (14) played against Australia during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, on July 25, 2021.

   KAREEM ELGAZZAR, USA Today Network

   "People forget their daily work and requirements. [...] All this hype can cause harm to one person," Abbott said at the recent Tokyo Olympics press conference.  "As athletes, we compete at such a high level. We vibrate at such a high energy level, put it into use every day, perform on stage and always be there, which can be difficult."

   Sakura National Dance

  

   On Thursday, July 1, 2020, in Orange, California, American karate athlete Sakura Kokumai poses for a photo at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  The sport will make its debut at this year's Olympics.

   Robert Flower City, USA Today

   "I learned again this year that I tend to train and solve problems by myself, but I realize the importance of contacting people and talking about it, or realize that it's okay to just ask for help sometimes," Kokumai said in a recent interview  Partly told "USA Today".

   American Karate: Sakura Kokumai took a long time, sometimes the lonely road to the Tokyo Olympics

   Kevin Love

   

   Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) dunks in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, October 21, 2017.

   David Richard, USA Today Sports

   "I used to be a tight-lipped guy who didn't want to share my life," Love told USA Sports Today in an interview in 2019.  “But that’s because I have quite a lot of social anxiety and the feeling of being constantly threatened and upstream. So I think I’m just going to live my life and share it, and even share my story through mental health, which allows me to help  A lot of people.

   Valerie Arrioto

   On July 24, 2021, during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics at the Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, American player Valerie Arrioto (20) is portrayed as the United States team against the Mexican team.

   KAREEM ELGAZZAR, USA TODAY Sports

   "This kind of awareness of mental health topics will really help many athletes and help the average person understand their mental health during this period of time," Arioto said at the recent Tokyo Olympics press conference.

   Dark Prescott

   Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dark Prescott (4) completed the fourth quarter touchdown in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, October 20, 2019.

   Matthew Emmons, USA Today Sports

   In an interview with reporter Graham Bensinger in September 2020, Prescott said: "I think [it] becomes fragile, authentic and transparent is important." "When you are a man  This will go a long way when you are a leader and your voice is heard by so many people and you can inspire."

   Ronda Rossi

   Ronda Rousey during UFC 207 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Friday, December 30, 2016.

   MARK J. REBILAS, USA Today Sports

   "This is not a weakness we should condemn," Rousey told the Huffington Post about her mental health in an interview in 2016.  "I never shy away from talking about suicide or similar things. It really affects [my] family members badly. I can do anything to make sure it affects as few people as possible. I'm happy to do so."

   If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, the crisis text line will provide free, 24/7 confidential support via text messages to people in crisis. They call 741741.

   If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) or chat online any time of the day or night.

   If you need to seek support for yourself or your loved ones, the Suicide Prevention Foundation of America has resources that can help.