Mental Health in Sports: Overcoming Stigma and Seeking Solutions

This essay delves into the critical aspects of mental health within the realm of sports, highlighting the pervasive stigma associated with mental illness and the difficulties athletes face in seeking adequate treatment. It addresses the vulnerabilities of athletes to mental health problems, including the pressures of competition, physical injuries, and societal expectations. The essay further examines the historical and social biases that contribute to the stigma, emphasizing the need for sports organizations to change their views and provide comprehensive support systems. It also explores how sports organizations are beginning to react to the growing number of athletes with mental illnesses, advocating for increased awareness, education, and the implementation of collaborative systems to promote the well-being of athletes at all levels. The essay concludes by underscoring the importance of treating athletes with respect and encouraging open communication to combat the stigma and ensure they receive the necessary care.

MENTAL HEALTH IN SPORTS
Mental health in sports
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Introduction
Stigma in mental health is linked to weakness and is primarily the antithesis of what
athletes want other people to see. It is difficult for an athlete who experiences mental issues to
receive adequate treatment as an athlete who has suffered an injury that is physical where there is
a personnel of experts including health practitioners and trainers who make sure that the athlete
has a speedy recovery (Gulliver, Griffiths, Mackinnon, Batterham and Stanimirovic 2015,
pp.255-261). Mental sickness in sports is usually overlooked, and an athlete may feel that he or
she is lonely and abandoned not being sure where to go. In addition, many people perceive that
mental health problems in athletes are not possible as they are often discerned to be highly
physically healthy human beings. The top athletes have a large fan base which gives a perception
that they cannot have such issues. They do not look for assistance from the mental health centers
in order to disconnect themselves from stigma and avoid mental sickness label and the dangers
that it comes with this. Mental ailment is still a problem in the community and might be
emphasized more in athletes who may fear losing their role model status. I recommend that the
athletes be treated with respected and treated as fellow human beings.
The stigma of mental illness
There is a problem of stigmatization on behalf of the medical experts when providing
medication to the athletes. The problems include: despite the known favorable impacts of mental
sickness exercise, athletes are not often trusted though perhaps at a lower prevalence than the
whole society (Sebbens, Hassmén, Crisp and Wensley 2016, p.911). In addition, I noted that
athletes might be vulnerable to the wrong diagnosis of mental sickness than other individuals
especially with issues that are associated with training athletes and might be seen from a more
slight psychological perspective rather than the wider bio-psychological plan. Furthermore, I
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realized the sameness between depression as a mental sickness and overstraining as an effect of
ongoing extreme athletic training are applauded. The American Psychiatric Association has
identified the disadvantages of the perception that athletes must be mentally healthy in order to
enhance awareness and eliminate stigma enclosing the athlete’s mental health (Holt, 2016). They
noted that mental sickness is much likely as common in athletes like in the whole community.
They added that it is not a sign of weakness and must be treated accordingly like a physical
injury. In addition, they said that getting assistance will most likely enhance a person’s self-
confidence and not damage it.
Vulnerability of athletes to mental health problems
There are many motives as to why athletes might be susceptible to developing mental
health issues. They have stress and pressures of competing that may leave them with the urge to
create feelings of anxiety or depression. Also, there are hidden head injuries which might lead to
mental health issues like depression. Moreover, other physical injuries, problems with colleagues
or coaches, maturity, bad performances, and retirement might lead the athletes to develop mental
health issues. Athletes must not be pressured into covering the problems; instead, the gladiator
barrier that they always have must be dropped, as it remains the significant barrier for seeking
treatment (Gucciardi, Hanton and Fleming 2017, pp.307-311). There are several issues that need
to be addressed such as the idea that looking for assistance of mental health is a sign of weakness
both from the perspective of the general media and from the athletes personally.
For instance, AFL star and Western Bulldogs key forward; a 21-year-old Tom Boyd was
given an absence leave while going through medication for clinical depression. In 2017 many
athletes encompassing Ian Thorpe who has been able to disclose about battling depression for
some time. Also, Indigenous Rugby League star Greg Inglis who had to check himself in the
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mental health facility because of clinical depression. Mental illness such as depression caused
Wallabies great, Dan Vickermanto die by committing suicide at 37 years in February. Many elite
athletes have battled depression globally (Liddle, Deane and Vella 2017, pp.93-103). In addition,
WWE champion Dwayne Jackson (The Rock) explained that he lied with depression for years
that led to three acute depressive episodes. He also said that his depression could come back any
moment.
The worlds most coveted Olympian who was a mental health advocate disclosed about
his battle with depression after deciding to quit swimming in 2012 while agreeing to take the
Medibio Board of directors’ appointment which help others who are diagnosed with depression,
chronic stress and other mental health diseases. Phelps opened up and said that it was difficult
for him to seek assistance. He had believed that it was a good choice for him to realize that it is
okay not to be fine. Asking for help helped him to save and change his life. Research has
indicated that there is a great deal that is not known about why there is the development of these
mental illnesses in elite athletes. In addition, the sport has been seen as a positive and
advantageous regarding self-esteem, stress and anxiety and other related issues.
Studies have indicated that the heightened stress elements like termination of the career,
being dropped from a roster, or even the promotion stress as the captain of the team. All these
factors can trigger depression. Dr. Walton still affirms that athletes are seen wholly as athletes in
lieu of ordinary people who can turn to fear around the development of depression and
subsequently take long hence reaching a more crucial point before their willingness to
acknowledge that they are suffering from depression seek assistance (Stanton, Reaburn and
Happell 2015, pp.440-448 ). I encourage individuals to consider these athletes as human beings,
and they should be helped in any way. It is necessary for the sports organizations to be aware of
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mental disorders and take measures needed to help them battle the diseases and also encourage to
speak up.
Changing views on mental health
The stigma that is attached to the mental health issues of athletes is driven by the
historical, social bias that exists within the sports organizations, individuals within the
organization, and the athletes who respond to these external sources. The athletes are seen as
healthy individuals who are mentally tough. In addition, mental toughness is mostly identified as
contradictory definitions in any elite performance world (Bauman, 2016). Also found out that if
any athlete conflicts with mental health, they are regarded as brain dead or mentally tough, and
therefore exclusion often comes up next.
Moreover, in-house psychology givers will also be dealing with a different athlete
currently compared to athletes in the last two decades in addition to the historical and social and
sports stigma about mental health. The athletes today are faster, stronger and more athletic than
before. However, there is also an increase in a number of more complicated and more intense
mental problems beginning at younger ages and the young athletes who have few coping skills
(Bhargava, Penn, Nemzow, Buchanan and Jacob 2018, p.S151 ). A mental health problem can
start long before a collegiate or professional career hence it is difficult for them to open up and
share their problems.
The repetitive mistake that the sports organization continue to make in culturally
addressing the developed discriminatory practices is that they often try to do too much at a
particular time. The cultures that are established are prone to resist change (Rice et al. 2016,
pp.1333-1353 ). There are good strategies that have been put in place in reads to changing
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cultures. The plans include increasing support and placement of many givers who are licensed.
The key to change is known to at the organizational level. Placing providers who are competent,
ethical, creative, have knowledge in sports culture, and interactive is essential for the athletes
since it improves their quality of life ( Gucciardi, Hanton and Fleming 2017, pp.307-311 ). In
addition, the industry needs education in regards to mental health at the ground level. This is
important because the certified athletic trainers interact with athletes on a daily basis and they
might be aware of what the athletes are going through in their lives.
Furthermore, educating the sports industry at a national level is also vital in the wellbeing
of the athletes. The university and college athletic departments must address the issues
concerning mental health (MacIntyre et al. 2017, p.1892). Understanding cognitive health gives a
clear vision of the mental health issues that student-athletes present and also recommendations
and guidelines for athletic departments to respond in the assistance of the athletic students.
Besides, creation and execution of a collaborative system that encompasses educating athletes,
coaches, and parents at the beginner levels of sports and moves developmentally with the athlete
throughout their care.
How sports have reacted to the growing numbers of athletes with mental illness
Mental health is a challenge in the whole world. In addition, sports particularly elite
entertainment provides a potential opportunity into the mental health issues of young individuals.
Also, the openness and the knowledge of the staff might be the critical mitigating element in
regards to the alleviation of cognitive health stigma in sports (Larkin, Levy, Marchant and
Martin, 2017 ). Many sports organizations have overlooked hence there are many increasing
cases of mental illness in sports. There is stigma today especially with men since they are
regarded as strong individuals in society and that they should not seek assistance.
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A lot of sports organizations are unable to find treatment for athletes who are suffering
from mental diseases. They are focused on perfectionism since they want to be at the top in the
competing world ( Croy, Geide, Paulus, Weidner and Olausson 2016, pp.491-496 ). It is
impossible for human beings to be perfect which can lead to overtraining and inability to transfer
practice. The sports organizations are trying to treat their athletes to promote health and
wellbeing (Breslin, Shannon, Haughey and Leavey, 2016). The organization must also create
awareness concerning mental health issues in athletes in order to prevent more victims. This has
made me to understand the reasons why the athletes have a hard time airing their grievances that
endanger their lives.
In conclusion, mental health stigma is associated with weakness, and it is difficult for an
athlete who suffers from these mental issues to seek medical assistance since they are perceived
to be physically and mentally healthy. It is important for the organizations to make sure that the
athletes are treated well in regards to mental illness. There are many motives as to why athletes
might be vulnerable to developing cognitive health issues. The kind of stress and pressures of
competing daily or weekly might lead the athletes to suffer from these mental disorders.
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References
Bauman, N.J., 2016. The stigma of mental health in athletes: are mental toughness and mental
health seen as contradictory in elite sport?.
Bhargava, M., Penn, J., Nemzow, S., Buchanan, A. and Jacob, T., 2018. 1.48 The Impact of a
Resident-Lead School-Based Psychoeducation Program on the Awareness of Mental Health and
Mindfulness in Middle Schoolers. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent
Psychiatry, 57(10), p.S151.
Breslin, G., Shannon, S., Haughey, T. and Leavey, G., 2016. A review of mental health and
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Croy, I., Geide, H., Paulus, M., Weidner, K. and Olausson, H., 2016. Affective touch awareness
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investigation. Psychiatry research, 245, pp.491-496.
Gucciardi, D.F., Hanton, S. and Fleming, S., 2017. Are mental toughness and mental health
contradictory concepts in elite sport? A narrative review of theory and evidence. Journal of
Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(3), pp.307-311.
Gucciardi, D.F., Hanton, S. and Fleming, S., 2017. Are mental toughness and mental health
contradictory concepts in elite sport? A narrative review of theory and evidence. Journal of
Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(3), pp.307-311.
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Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K.M., Mackinnon, A., Batterham, P.J. and Stanimirovic, R., 2015. The
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