World Mental Health Day: How athletes like Simone Biles are breaking the age-old taboo

Tuesday 10th October marked World Mental Health Day and the sporting world is definitely no stranger to mental challenges and pressures.

The world of perfectionism and unhealthy obsession to always do better can unfortunately lead to a self-destructive mindset amongst athletes. The unique culture of sport means athletes are constantly being judged, publicly scrutinised, and expected to perform regardless of their external pressures.

There is a common misconception that athletes are untouchable, coached from a young age to be physically and mentally superior. However, their physical strength and incredible athletic ability does not escape the mental strain of being a top performing athlete. Traditionally viewed as a sign of weakness, athletes have typically suffered in silence due to the stigma surrounding mental health.

Fortunately, times are changing. Over the last decade the conversation surrounding mental health in sports has broken onto the scene. The new generation of athletes are slowly breaking taboos and learning to take necessary breaks in order to manage their mental wellbeing. Similar to the recovery of a physical injury, athletes are beginning to treat their mental battles with the same care.

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Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, has spoken out about her mental health struggles throughout her career.

Last week the American gymnast made a triumphant return to gymnastics, competing in the 2023 Artistic World Gymnastics Championships. Biles won four gold medals at the Championships increasing her total collection of medals to 34, higher than any other gymnast - male or female.

Her impressive comeback came after she took a 2-year break from the sport, following her withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to prioritise her mental wellbeing. Arguably the greatest gymnast of all time, how could she even consider taking a break? At a peak point in her career, why would she want to jeopardise it?

These were the questions that began to surface after Biles made the controversial, yet groundbreaking decision. The courageous move was a game-changer in the discussion of mental health and sport, reshaping what it truly means to be a professional athlete.

It is no longer solely about how many titles you have or how many records you break, but the ability to be vulnerable and seek help.

Since her return, Biles has made it clear that it is not about the medals anymore. Her wellbeing and love for gymnastics is her number one priority.

Other athletes have shared similar experiences, such as Naomi Osaka.

The Japanese tennis star has spoken very publicly about her mental challenges, experiencing bouts of anxiety and depression ever since her US Open win in 2018.

She famously pulled out of Roland-Garros in 2021, following her decision to refuse media duties during the tournament. She expressed how the nature of press conferences were highly anxiety-inducing and the constant expectation to present her best self to the media was proving damaging to her mental health.

Missing a conference resulted in a $15,000 fine and the threat of her disqualification from Roland-Garros. Her withdrawal and later decision to take a break from tennis to focus on her mental health was heavily criticised by the press, with critics labelling her a ‘diva’ and describing her as ‘narcissistic’.

The former World No.1 explained how she felt ashamed of her decision to walk away from the court, and undoubtedly the lack of empathy from the media further amplified these feelings. Despite the somewhat problematic decision, it created an opportunity for the conversation surrounding athletes and their mental health to be taken seriously.

Like Biles, Osaka challenged the traditional notion that athletes require pressure to thrive.

As an athlete, if you are not mentally fit then your results will only reflect this. Physical and mental strength go hand in hand - if one starts to decline, the other will shortly follow. Osaka identified a problem and instead of pushing through it, she took the time out to fix it.

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Athletes speaking out has forced the public and sporting community to acknowledge that the intense psychological pressures can be extremely detrimental, even for those at the top of their game. No amount of trophies or medals shields you from experiencing mental health issues.

There has now been a major shift in athletes not only strengthening their bodies, but also strengthening their minds.

Prevention is the primary goal, and the role of the sports psychologist is more important than ever. Athletes openly discuss the actions they are taking to develop their mental fitness, with many individuals attending therapy sessions and speaking to psychiatrists.

It is vital for athletes to open the door and address their mental health concerns to not only raise awareness, but to encourage others to do the same. Talking about mental health should no longer be associated with fear and shame but instead athletes should be admired for their transparency and bravery to share their personal experiences.

The more athletes speak out, the more mental health will be normalised and destigmatised.

The new wave of professional athletes are transforming mental health in sport. However, in order to achieve this change, society needs to be more accepting of athletes choosing to sacrifice career milestones in order to prioritise their mental health.