Can sport help us shift the discussion on mental health?
When I was a youngster, I really struggled with confidence. Many believe that success builds confidence, but for me it was the opposite. I was flying at school and I played in a mini-rugby team that went a whole season without losing a match; but rather than create a sense of belief, it created a growing fear that it was all going to come crashing down. Even though it is many years ago, it remains completely fresh in my mind, which is why I truly resonated with the words of Naomi Osaka following her US Open defeat, when she said:
I feel like for me recently, when I win I don't feel happy. I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don't think that's normal.
Looking back and reflecting on my feelings from the time, that is exactly how I felt. Instead of savouring every victory and success, it just felt like a temporary reprieve from the pressure, which was then even greater for the next match or exam or opportunity for me to fail. I can’t possibly imagine what it is like to be facing these feelings in the public eye, but I do know that the love of my family and their pride in my achievements should have triggered really positive emotions, and yet for some reason, it did the opposite and only served to heighten the burden and the fear of failure that I was carrying. I therefore feel great empathy for Naomi Osaka, and huge admiration for her and other athletes such as Simone Biles, who have spoken so openly and articulately about the mental health challenges that they are facing.
Whilst their candid press conferences can feel like a natural progression from the generally increased openness towards discussions about mental health, I think this understates the impact that these talented and successful athletes are having to the development of the discussion. Until now, our conversations on the subject had moved little beyond the very basic concept that “it’s good to talk!”. Whilst true and important, this is a real over-simplification of the issue and it is great that we are now getting further into the heart-wrenching complexity of the subject. It is helping us to see that success, fame and fortune give us no protection from the feelings of doubt, uncertainty and fear. It is helping us to realise that we are all vulnerable to these feelings, and how we should never be complacent in the good times but continue to focus on our wellbeing and resilience to prepare us for the rollercoaster of life. But perhaps most importantly, it is starting to put a positive perspective on the bravery of admitting our weaknesses rather than always celebrating our ability to hide behind our strengths.
This last one is a hard one to crack. We may be sympathetic to those who are struggling, but we still give people a badge of honour for being able to cope with unbearable stress and pressure. We may be sympathetic to those who are struggling, but we still lambast people for getting things wrong, for changing their mind or for being unable to cope. We may be sympathetic to those who are struggling, but we still use lazy generalisations and labels that inspire a desperation to conform in contradiction to our authentic selves.
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Our increased awareness and openness is a positive start, but we need to realise that the way we behave and interact, the expectations we have of other people, and the structures that we have put in place are all contributing to the problem. We were rightly shocked when it was announced that tobacco giant Philip Morris was bidding to purchase respiratory drugmaker Vectura, giving them the opportunity of making money from the problems they have exacerbated. But are we any different with mental health? Are we being rightly sympathetic of symptoms, but ignoring the role we all play in causing the problems?
I wish the very best to Naomi Osaka. Right now, her health and happiness is the most important thing. But I also hope her brave words are the start of some better discussions.
James Wyatt, a passionate advocate of the high-quality discussions that can make the world a better place and author of?The Art of Discussion.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Discussion-Have-Better-Conversations/dp/1913568989/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=art+of+discussion&qid=1627464356&sr=8-3