Whether in the sporting news or writing, mental health has become part of a most current issue and concern. Many athletes and sports stars are rushing to share their experiences in the name of de-stigmatization and making way for others to seek help. Here are 13 stars from the world of sports who advocate mental health.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles, the iconic gymnast, made the news in the Tokyo Olympics when she withdrew from some events, citing anxiety and personal problems. She has been a strong advocate for the need to prioritize mental health over competitive success and for stepping back when necessary. She is now the Chief Impact Officer for the mental health app Cerebral.
Michael Phelps
Phelps, who has born the title of most-decorated Olympian with 23 gold medals, has since publicly discussed his life-long battle with depression. The middle champion has had many incidents, such as a drunk driving arrest and incidents dealing with drugs. Phelps, who described talking about mental health as a “lifesaver,” challenged others to follow suit.
Naomi Osaka
Openly, tennis icon Naomi Osaka kept saying she was really depressed after having won at the US Open in 2018. She had garnered all kinds of publicity when she withdrew from the 2021 French Open to concentrate on her mental health and also criticized the media continuously for not being empathetic. Since then, Osaka has learned how to cope through therapy with a therapist. As athletes, we publicly acknowledge the effort made by the aforementioned since their last mention. In fact, since 2018, at the US Open, one of the famous fans broke the title for making an appearance in finals premier-event matches. Naomi Osaka gave full attention to herself when, in 2021, she decided to withdraw from the French Open in order to contemplate better her mind against portraying media heads critically towards her. After learning how to cope through a therapist, now Osaka would continue to keep her mental health in check.Before that, you just need to know the basic detail about training until the end of October 2023.
Noah Lyles
World champion sprinter Noah Lyles has been candid about his use of antidepressants to cope with depression. With the goal of destigmatizing medication concerning mental health, Lyles has set up the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation to provide mental health resources for young athletes.
Jackie Baumann
Germany’s Jackie Baumann retired from athletics because of anxiety upon achieving a mental strain due to competition. She speaks about insomnia and anxiety. The decision to drop out of an athletic competition shows the intense pressure that athletes have under and the importance of mental health.
Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish, the cyclist, has shared his experiences with depression along with all his physical needs. The winner of 34 Tour de France stage wins did not forget to add that mental health problems must also be addressed within the sports world.
Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker, the erstwhile German footballer, has shared his experience of mental pressure translating into physical symptoms like nausea. He talks about the mental toll by professional sports on athletes.
Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls, the adventurer known for his survival skills, admitted to suffering from self-confidence and fear. He said men should feel free to speak about mental health, hoping for a greater culture of openness and support.
Felix Neureuther
Felix Neureuther, who is also an advocate for mental health with the “Beweg dich schlau!” initiative, is one of the celebrated skiers who teaches young people to take care of their physical and mental well-being.
LeBron James
Basketball celebrity LeBron James shed light on the importance of discussing mental health and pressure management. He has written a children’s book to influence self-belief and resilience in young readers.
Lindsey Vonn
She has fought a long battle with depression and has been transparent about it all her life. She represents the idea that mental health challenges in sports must be talked about, as much to combat the stigma of weakness that often accompanies them.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer, the tennis great, recognizes the toll of traveling, pressure to perform, and other such things on an athlete’s mind. He encourages open discussions on mental health in the sports fraternity.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams, who is a tennis champion, spoke about her struggles with anxiety and career pressures, sharing that she is a strong supporter of things like Selena Gomez’s “Wondermind” initiative to emphasize mental health and resilience.