By Bobby Shriver

An elite athlete’s competitive drive and whatever-it-takes sacrifices are often publicly lauded as they achieve success, especially among Olympic athletes. Yet in recent years, Olympic athletes and hopefuls are increasingly prioritizing their mental health despite the immense pressures they face. As a result, society is realizing that mental health in Olympic athletes should be just as equally praised — and protected — in the pursuit of their dreams. 

Famous Athletes with Mental Health Issues 

For centuries, optimal physical performance has taken center stage in an athlete’s world and in the sports they compete. But with this performance comes unending pressures from the media, coaches, and other athletes that so often have been disregarded as part of the job. That is, until numerous high-profile professional athletes stepped up to shine the spotlight on mental health. 

Simone Biles’ Mental Health Journey

Seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles made the momentous decision to withdraw from five event finals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics under the watchful eyes of the entire world. She cited the need to prioritize her mental health, reports CNN Sports, and even stepped away from competitive gymnastics for a period of time. Today, she’s a role model and widespread inspiration for mental health in athletes while continuing to compete in gymnastics.

Michael Phelps’ Mental Health Journey

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, has been very open about his personal experience with depression and anxiety, as well as his mental health history. After entering inpatient treatment with The Meadows in 2014, Phelps has regularly utilized therapy, exercise, and self-care measures like journaling to cope with his mental health. His public openness and advocacy has brought increased awareness to mental health across the globe, shares Healthline.com.

Naomi Osaka’s Mental Health Journey

Four-time Grand Slam winner and tennis star Naomi Osaka went public with her anxiety and depression struggles in 2021 after she withdrew from the French Open to focus on her mental health amidst backlash from the media. She’s since become a public advocate for reducing the stigmas associated with mental illness, reports SHRM.

Mental Health in Olympic Athletes: Making It a Priority

The newfound focus on famous athletes with mental health issues has triggered an important shift in the narrative of mental health in athletes. According to Harvard Business Review, we now have heightened awareness of the specific dynamics that pose mental health risks to athletes, including:

• Unsustainable expectations for perfection and constant improvement
• Enormous public pressure to win
• Pervasive demand to outwork and outlast your opponent 
• Short career spans that can end quickly due to injury

Upon reading this list, it’s easy to see why anyone dealing with these dynamics on a regular basis would face mental health issues and burnout. And athletes are taking notice, too. 

With increased awareness, current Olympic athletes are safeguarding their mental health and overall well-being in various ways, from acknowledging their limits and practicing self-care to setting healthy boundaries and even stepping down if needed.

US Olympian Mary Tucker has made protecting and enhancing her mental health one of her biggest priorities for the 2024 games. In addition to talking with her therapist regularly, Tucker has chosen to scale back her training to five days a week, says TeamUSA.com. Other 2024 US Olympians are taking different approaches, explains NBC:

• Sunny Choi, the United States’ first female breaker to qualify for the Olympics, meets regularly with her therapist to talk through mental blocks, cycles of depression, and how she can be kind to herself (including taking days off). 
• Two-time track and field medalist Gabby Thomas chooses not to let her sport define her, seeing herself as a person first. She’s also mindful about keeping her social media consumption at arm’s length, especially posts about herself. 
• Ryan Crouser, two-time gold medalist in shot put, continues to focus on improving his mental health and being present in the moment. He’s even helped to champion honesty about mental health by openly discussing the depression he’s experienced after stepping off the winner’s podium in the past. 

Olympic Committee Supports Mental Health in Athletes 

The increased awareness surrounding mental health in athletes has caused a ripple effect in sports’ governing bodies as well. Recognizing the need to protect mental health in Olympic athletes, The Guardian reports that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is focusing on mental wellness in the 2024 Paris Games by introducing a number of initiatives. Among them are:

• A mental fitness helpline for athletes’ day-to-day wellness and 2,000 licenses issued to the Calm app
• Access to mental health, well-being, and support in over 70 languages in any athlete’s home country for the next four years
• Onsite mental fitness area in Olympic Village where athletes can decompress and tune into their emotional needs
• AI-powered social media blocker to protect athletes and officials from online abuse

Beyond the IOC, other governing bodies have been following suit. The National Hockey League (NHL) recently launched its First Line program, a class offering players tools to understand mental health and learn how to recognize warning signs in themselves and others, shares The Associated Press. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has also recently rolled out its four mental health best practices which includes screening tools and referrals to qualified professionals that will be legislatively enforced at all member schools.  

Evaluating Your Own Mental Health as an Athlete

With greater mental health awareness comes the reality of taking care of your own mental wellness as an athlete. This starts with recognizing the warning signs that you may be struggling mentally, such as ongoing stress, a loss of interest in your sport, or having unrealistic expectations for yourself. 

If you are indeed struggling, then seeking assistance from a professional therapist or support group can help you address your negative feelings and form healthy coping strategies. You may also realize that it’s best to walk away from a competition — like some professional athletes have done  — and that’s OK, especially if it’s a toxic situation or your heart’s just not in it right now.

Get Help for Your Mental Health at The Meadows

Whether or not you’re an athlete, it’s important to prioritize getting mentally healthy. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders, we can help at The Meadows. To learn how you can achieve lasting healing with our whole-person treatment, contact our team today.