Mental Health On the
Biggest Stage
In general, I’ve noticed that people often romanticize professional athletes into mindless zombies who dedicate themselves to their sport, train diligently, and then return home. However, the truth is that professional athletes are no different from normal people; they’re not superheroes but ordinary individuals who work hard. Comparing athletes to otherworldly beings is not only unfair to them but also to the people who idolize them. When a renowned athlete experiences a poor performance, they may struggle with feelings of self-hatred, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, and even depression. Unfortunately, many of these athletes remain silent because they’re expected to be perfect, which can negatively impact their mental health and affect their performance. This phenomenon is not unique to pro athletes, though. It can also be seen in the mental health struggles faced by young school-based athletes. Many young athletes aspire to emulate their heroes, and when they observe these athletes whom they look up to failing to acknowledge the struggles they secretly face, they will often follow suit by not acknowledging their own problems. Therefore, it’s crucial for famous athletes to openly discuss their mental health concerns because it can show young athletes that even the most talented sports player can encounter a range of mental health challenges. By speaking up, young athletes are empowered to recognize that it’s okay to not be okay, and suffering alone in silence will only worsen the issue. Many famous athletes have publicly spoken about their mental health struggles and continue to inspire young children around the world. This section is dedicated to these athletes, allowing anyone who visits this page to understand the impact of mental health on everyone, including professional athletes.
