Athletes, especially those competing at a higher level, are used to “playing through the pain,” no matter the severity. The societal view is that athletes have a higher pain tolerance. When professional athletes take days off to rest pulled or strained muscles, they often face ridicule for not being “tough enough.”
But when it comes to mental health, it isn’t that simple.
Mental health in athletes affects their physical and emotional well-being as well as making it harder to relate to teammates and coaches.
The phrase mental health is unfortunately associated with a negative connotation. There are two forms of this stigma: social stigma and perceived stigma or self-stigma. Social stigma refers to a negative attitude and negative stereotypes towards those with a mental health problem. Perceived stigma is how the person suffering views the discrimination and attitudes being directed towards them.
Perceived stigma can lead to poor treatment outcomes, due to the person’s feelings of shame. This type of stigma is one of the main reasons that elite athletes with mental health issues don’t seek the help they need.
Hayley Wickenheiser, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and the first woman to score a goal in a men’s professional ice hockey league, once wrote, “Depression and anxiety are the worst kept secrets in professional sports,” and it’s true – there is always hidden pain because there is always some form of the ‘suck it up’ attitude when it comes to athletes. They fear that disclosing mental health symptoms or disorders could lead to reduced playing time or even lower their chances of making it to the next level.
Coaches, players, and the governing bodies of sports all share the responsibility of de-stigmatizing mental illness and promoting a culture of positive mental well-being. These disorders and illnesses should be viewed the same as any physical illness or injury.
Robin Lehner, goalie for the NHL’s New York Islanders, is one of many professional athletes to shed light on this issue. Lehner revealed his battle with thoughts of suicide, addiction, and bipolar disorder in an essay published by The Athletic in September of 2018. He briefly addressed the stigma that surrounds mental health by stating, “I am working hard to become the latest to battle this unfair stigma.”
Lehner received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy at the 2019 NHL Award’s; this award is for the player who best exhibits qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. When the 27-year-old Swede accepted his award, he used the opportunity to speak out about mental illness, “I’m not ashamed to say I am mentally ill, but that doesn’t mean I’m mentally weak.” Lehner also addressed what he wrote in his essay by saying, “‘that’s something we gotta keep pushing for, we gotta end the stigma.’”
Through addressing both his mental illness and the stigma around it, he opened the door to further conversation; there are many other professional athletes who suffer from mental health issues. One platform that allows easy access to these stories is The Players’ Tribune, a site created by former Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter. There is a section dedicated to mental health awareness, in the hope that those suffering feel less alone, along with helping to reduce social stigma, drive awareness, and inspire change.
In many cases, there is a link between an athlete’s, or nonathlete’s, mental health and brain injury. According to Headway, a brain injury association, in some cases brain injury can result in the development of a mental health condition. Although exact reasons are unclear, there has been research that shows people who have experienced a head injury are more likely to develop a mental health condition than the general population. If a person sustains a brain injury on top of an already existing mental health issue, the issue can intensify. Although brain injuries and mental health conditions are separate conditions, both can affect a person.
Over the years the discussion around mental health has been opened, largely through organizations/foundations such as Do It For Daron and Bell Let’s Talk, and the NCAA is taking further action online through their mental health menu, supporting student-athlete mental wellness. The NCAA offers educational modules to teach athletes, coaches, and faculty athletics representatives what they can do to support student-athletes’ mental health.
Bell Let’s Talk, an awareness campaign created by Bell Canada, a Canadian telecommunications company, to raise awareness and combat mental health stigma, represents the single largest corporate commitment to mental health in Canada. Although founded in Canada, Bell Let’s Talk has reached all across the globe through Bell Let’s Talk Day. The hashtag #BellLetsTalk is seen widely over numerous social media platforms. On this day, Bell donates 5 cents for every applicable text, call, tweet, social media video view and use of their Facebook frame or Snapchat filter.
Do it for Daron, or DIFD, is another mental health awareness initiative. DIFD aims to raise awareness, as well as bring hope and inspiration to youth. DIFD also has a hashtag movement, #WeAllSkateTogether. This hashtag represents togetherness, teamwork, and supportive relationships in hockey, on and off the ice. Hockey teams across the U.S. and Canada have dedicated games to DIFD to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health. Although DIFD is tailored to hockey, it’s message can be applied across many different sports.
What can you do?
Showing your support for others and what they may be going through, without being judgmental is important. Being someone that is open and encourages people to reach out when they need help can save a life.
Help end the stigma.
Helpful Resources for those struggling with mental health:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline — 1-800-273-8255
Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline – 1-877-726-4727
Get general information on mental health and locate treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
The Self-Care Initiative was designed to serve as a resource for teens struggling with mental illness or going through a rough time. It provides stress management tips and help for any teens having a hard time loving themselves. This website was created as a result of an increase in suicide among teens and is intended to help teens perception of themselves in a world where self-deprecation is far too common.
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