Advocacy for Mental Health in the Olympics
- Sep 5, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 3
The Olympics are a global stage where athletes showcase incredible physical feats, but this pinnacle of competition is just as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. We’ll explore the recent discourse around mental health in sports, highlighting how top athletes are paving the way for a new understanding of strength and resilience.
Why is mental health advocacy important in sports?
Mental health advocacy is essential because it champions the idea that an athlete's mental and emotional needs are just as critical as their physical well-being. Recognizing mental health struggles, like anxiety or stress, as valid reasons for stepping back from competition is a powerful step towards creating a healthier environment for athletes at all levels.
For more insights into how athletes like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps have shaped the conversation around mental wellness, and to understand why prioritizing your own mental health is a win in any field, keep reading. We have more to share on this critical topic.
Advocacy for Mental Health in the Olympics
The Olympics are a prime stage for advocacy in all forms. It is is a pinnacle of competition and an exhibition on the peak performance of what the human body is capable of. This display that only comes around every four years is a massive feat as people continue to break records and persevere through what was once thought to be human limits.
However, while the physical triumphs of these world-class athletes are worthy of the spectacle, this competition is just as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. Nothing about pushing oneself is easy, and it is important to continue to monitor one’s mental wellness as they would their physical being.
Perhaps one is an athlete competing on the world’s largest stage. Maybe someone is balancing their own physical and mental wellbeing. Either way, being aware of one’s mental and emotional needs and advocating for mental health concerns is essential to creating a healthy lifestyle, regardless of what kind of field one may take in their daily life.
Highlighting the Discourse
Paying attention to one’s mental and emotional needs is an essential practice — one that was most recently highlighted due to Simone Biles’s decision to withdraw from the women’s team gymnastics finals while on the cusp of adding another medal to her already decorated career. While many onlookers may have been surprised at the news of this withdrawal, the sentiment may be commonly shared amongst athletes.
Even professional athletes who feel the pressure of competition every day, whether it is against opponents or themselves, are in a constant battle to maintain a healthy mindset and body. Decorated United States Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps understands the need for this balance as well. He came out in support of Biles’s decision to prioritize her mental health from a position of sympathy and understanding during an interview conducted on NBC.
Performing on a world stage with the weight of an entire nation on one’s back is a mentally overwhelming experience. There is no shortage of stress and pressure that comes with these expectations. Echoing Phelps’s sentiments, it is important to embrace Biles’s decision as an opportunity to continue drawing attention to mental health needs and advocating for personal mental and emotional wellness.
An athlete suffering from a twisted ankle, a broken bone, muscle cramp, or other physical injury is a widely accepted reason to break from one’s training. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to embrace other strains that may be less visible. However, Biles’s impactful decision is a testament to the severity and need to address the equally as important mental side of competition.
Biles’s ability to be mindful and aware of her own mental state is a talent in and of itself. Her decision to prioritize her wellbeing is not something to be criticized, but championed. Mental health struggles can be just as detrimental to one’s daily life, goals, and routines as one’s physical limitations. Biles’s actions are a way to understand this on a global stage.
Anxiety, doubt, mental exhaustion, depression, stress, and more are all incredibly powerful things. While it is easy to talk about them separate from one’s other health needs, this is rarely the case. One’s mental state can directly affect their physical body as fatigue, aches, or exhaustion can all result from mental health complications.
Seeing one’s mental and physical health as two sides of the same body is paramount to embracing the need for mental health advocacy. Mental health awareness has been a topic of discourse due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic. Seeing this side of mental health is another example of the need to embrace mental health advocacy and raise a voice to the importance therein.
Not All Olympics Look the Same
While Biles’s decision is a testament to the stress that the worldwide stage can produce, her decision is a lesson to each person, even those who are not decorated, Olympic gymnasts. Each individual will have their own version of the Olympics throughout their lives — a time where they are met with the fiercest competition to reach their goals.
For some, this can be one’s battle with other professional endeavors, such as chasing promotions, respect, or authority while in the professional sphere. Others may see the hurdles in their path to personal goals as their greatest challenge, such as getting a book published or raising a child. The mental stresses can continue to inhibit one’s day in a very real way.
The ability to recognize the stress, prioritize one’s health over all else, and step back for the betterment of one’s wellbeing is essential. Regardless if one is under the beating lights on an Olympic beam competition or taking a day off from work to have a moment to rest, advocating for mental health is necessary throughout all spheres and walks of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
• What recent event highlighted the importance of mental health advocacy in the Olympics?
The conversation was most recently highlighted by Simone Biles's decision to withdraw from the women's team gymnastics finals at the Olympics to prioritize her mental health.
• How did Michael Phelps react to Simone Biles's decision?
United States Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps supported Simone Biles's decision, sharing his own understanding and sympathy for the mental pressures athletes face.
• Why is it difficult to accept mental health issues as a reason for an athlete to step back?
Unlike a twisted ankle or broken bone, mental and emotional strains are less visible, which can make it more difficult for some people to accept them as a valid reason for an athlete to take a break.
• How can a person's mental state affect their physical body?
Mental health issues like anxiety, stress, or depression can directly affect the physical body, leading to symptoms like fatigue, aches, or exhaustion.
• What is a key takeaway from the mental health conversation sparked at the Olympics?
The ability to recognize stress, prioritize one’s health, and step back for the betterment of one’s well-being is essential, whether you are an Olympic athlete or a person navigating your own professional or personal challenges.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the mental and emotional battles discussed in this article, know that you are not alone, and help is available. At Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center, we understand that true wellness is a balance of both mind and body. We believe in taking a comprehensive approach to health, offering personalized support to help you or your loved one navigate life's challenges. Our dedicated team is here to listen, support, and guide you on your journey toward a healthier, more balanced life. We invite you to reach out and take that first brave step with us. Please call us at (435) 222-5225; we are here to help.
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About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.
Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.
