For generations, athletes have been celebrated for their resilience, strength, and seemingly unbreakable willpower. We see them as superheroes, as people capable of transcending human limits with every goal, record, or medal they achieve. However, beneath the aura of invincibility that surrounds the world of professional sports lies a very real, yet often overlooked struggle—the unseen battle of mental health. As our understanding of mental health has evolved, the importance of emotional and psychological well-being for athletes is slowly coming to light. But the journey of athletes dealing with mental health struggles is neither straightforward nor easy. In a realm where toughness and determination are the gold standards, admitting to having mental health issues can be its own, unique challenge.
The Pressure Cooker: Performance and Expectations
To understand the mental health challenges of athletes, it’s essential to first recognize the extraordinary pressure they face. Athletes are constantly expected to perform at their best, with the weight of their careers, team expectations, sponsorships, and often national pride resting on their shoulders. From the moment an athlete steps onto the field, court, or track, they know that millions of eyes are watching, hoping for them to succeed. While most fans see the glories of victory and the heartbreak of defeat, they rarely grasp the relentless nature of the pressure that comes with competing at the highest levels.
This immense pressure doesn’t just come from external forces, but also from the athletes themselves. Driven by their own personal ambition, they push themselves to physical and mental extremes, striving to be better with each passing day. They devote countless hours to rigorous training schedules, often sacrificing sleep, leisure, and personal relationships. With this pursuit comes the fear of failure, a feeling that can be crippling—especially when an athlete feels that their worth as a person is intertwined with their ability to perform.
The Stigma: Mental Health as a Sign of Weakness
Another key reason why athletes struggle to address their mental health openly is the stigma associated with mental health challenges within the sports community. Traditionally, athletes are conditioned to demonstrate toughness and resilience. Phrases like “push through the pain,” “tough it out,” or “never show weakness” are often heard in locker rooms and training sessions. The narrative that toughness is paramount perpetuates an environment where admitting to mental struggles is perceived as a sign of weakness—an attitude that not only diminishes the importance of emotional health but also leads athletes to suppress their feelings.
For many athletes, acknowledging anxiety, depression, or burnout can feel like admitting defeat. Unlike a visible injury, which is often met with sympathy and support, a mental health struggle is frequently misunderstood or minimized. It’s easier for fans and even coaches to understand a broken bone than it is to understand crippling anxiety before a game. Thus, athletes often face the internal conflict of feeling that they need to hide their struggles to avoid being judged as unfit to compete, fearing that disclosure could lead to fewer opportunities, a tarnished reputation, or the perception that they simply aren’t “mentally tough.”
High-Profile Cases: Shifting the Narrative
Thankfully, in recent years, prominent athletes have begun to speak out about their mental health struggles, providing a much-needed platform for the conversation. Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Kevin Love are just a few of the many professional athletes who have bravely shared their experiences with anxiety, depression, and the emotional toll of competition. By sharing their vulnerabilities, these athletes have opened the door to discussions about mental health in the sports community, emphasizing that it is just as critical as physical health.
Naomi Osaka’s decision to withdraw from major tennis tournaments, citing the impact on her mental health, was a groundbreaking moment. She made it clear that taking care of oneself was more important than any title or accolade, and her actions resonated with many around the world—athletes and non-athletes alike. Similarly, Simone Biles’ withdrawal from the gymnastics team final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics highlighted the need for athletes to prioritize their mental well-being, even on the biggest stage in the world. Biles was open about experiencing “the twisties,” a mental block that made it dangerous for her to perform—a decision that required immense courage in a field that often prioritizes medals over mental health.
Michael Phelps, one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, has also been vocal about his battles with depression. After the 2012 Olympics, he found himself in a dark place, struggling with thoughts of suicide despite his incredible achievements. Phelps has since used his platform to advocate for better mental health resources for athletes, emphasizing that success and wealth do not make anyone immune to mental health struggles.
The Impact of Social Media
In addition to performance pressure and stigma, modern athletes also face the challenge of navigating social media. While platforms like Instagram and Twitter provide a way for athletes to connect with their fans and share their journey, they also open the door to criticism and scrutiny. Athletes are bombarded with comments—some positive, others incredibly harsh and unforgiving. The constant feedback loop of social media can have a profound effect on an athlete’s mental well-being, amplifying the highs and deepening the lows.
An athlete’s misstep or poor performance can quickly become a viral topic, with millions of people sharing their opinions online. This level of scrutiny can be brutal and unforgiving, contributing to feelings of anxiety, inadequacy, or even isolation. The pressure to maintain a particular image—of being not just a successful athlete, but also an idealized person—can lead to burnout and a sense of disconnection from one’s true self.
Moving Forward: Addressing Mental Health in Sports
The increasing number of high-profile athletes speaking out about mental health is a step in the right direction, but more work is needed to create a supportive environment for all athletes. It starts with shifting the narrative that athletes are impervious to mental health challenges. Coaches, trainers, sports organizations, and fans all have a role to play in reshaping how mental health is viewed in the world of sports. It’s essential to create an environment where athletes feel empowered to speak up, seek help, and prioritize their well-being without fear of judgment or negative repercussions.
Sports organizations can also contribute by providing access to mental health professionals and embedding mental health support within training programs. Just as physical trainers and physiotherapists are available to help athletes manage injuries, psychologists and counselors should be readily accessible to help athletes navigate the psychological demands of their careers. Programs designed to educate athletes about stress management, coping strategies, and emotional resilience can also go a long way in ensuring they are equipped to deal with the pressures they face.
Parents, friends, and teammates can also contribute by fostering open conversations about mental health from an early age. Rather than just celebrating the outcomes—victories, medals, and records—they can support the process, celebrating the effort, commitment, and courage it takes to compete. Understanding that an athlete’s value is not solely determined by their achievements but also by their well-being is key to changing the perception of mental health in sports.
