It's Time to Normalize Speaking About Mental Health in Sport

Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Ben Simmons--at first glance, these three individuals do not seem to have a lot in common; but upon closer examination, there is more similarity here than meets the eye. Within months of each other, Biles, Osaka, and Simmons all spoke publicly--some more frequently than others--about their mental health struggles.^1,2,3 While Biles and Osaka received some criticism, the general sentiment was acceptance and support; for Simmons, however, the same can not be said. So why did the public mock him and rally behind her? Why was he a laughing stock and she a hero? Unfortunately, the answer to this question may run as deep as the all-too-familiar and stigma-fueled cliché: real men don't cry.

In a February 2022 on-air interview, Fox Sports host Ben Maller stated that Simmons is:

"A fake, a phony, and a fraud, and this guy has been hiding under the 'mental health' card from the bottom of the deck, knowing that it makes you untouchable in a polite society."⁴

Opinions such as Maller's and countless others who diminish or mislabel mental health struggles can derail the fight to end mental health stigma. The first instinct when someone, especially an individual largely in the public eye, speaks publicly about their mental health struggles should not be to call him or her a phony. The first instinct should not be criticism. The first sentiment should not be skepticism. In my opinion, the first inclination should be concern, closely followed by reflection.

 Stardom Does Not Shield One from Mental Health Struggles--It Magnifies

I believe there is one clear flaw in the reasoning of Maller, and that is that he neglects to account for the stone-cold truth that stigma surrounding mental health still exists. Even in 2022, discussing mental health is still considered taboo by many.⁵ The "mental health card" that Maller illustrates, in my opinion, does not exist. When I ultimately decided to share my story, personal gain never crossed my mind. I was terrified, uncertain, and anxious, but I came to the conclusion that sharing my story could ultimately do more good than harm; maybe Simmons thought the same. 

As a society, we tend to scrutinize individuals we hold in high esteem and perhaps forgive them less easily than we would a colleague or a neighbor.⁶ In discussing nuances of notoriety, it is important to note the implicit responsibility that comes with being in the public eye. Celebrities' actions are magnified to the nth degree, and although I may not agree with many things surrounding modern-day acclaim, what I do agree with is that on the most primitive level, we all share one commonality: humanity.

Vulnerability in Male Athletes Is Not Widely Accepted--It's Time to Change That

Societal expectations for men to be tough and not show emotion can discourage individuals from seeking help. It is important to ponder that men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues as well as have higher rates of depression and suicide compared to women.⁷It is strikingly clear that these two facts may very well be related, and if so, change is essential.

Regarding professional sports, the culture of traditional masculinity can appear and even flourish. There is often an expectation of toughness in sports, especially for male athletes. With that said, if the message was simply encouraging physical toughness, I would not have a problem with this. The issue, however, is the hidden context behind the word itself. The "toughness" in this sense sends the implicit message to young and malleable minds that toughness means masking emotions. 

Jumping back to 2022, Simmons went against the norm by speaking openly about the state of his mental health and was met with criticism and even mockery for sharing his truth. Simmons' experience, along with the unsettling rates of depression and suicide among men, are clear indicators as to why we as a society need to rethink the definition of masculinity we are teaching the young male population.

Sources

1. Silva, D. (2021, July 28). “We’re human, too”: Simone Biles highlights importance of mental health in Olympics withdrawal. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/we-re-human-too-simone-biles-highlights-importance-mental-health-n1275224 

2. Helmore, E. (2021, September 5). ‘I’m dealing with stuff’: Naomi Osaka questions her future in tennis. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/04/im-dealing-with-stuff-naomi-osaka-questions-her-future-in-tennis

3. Associated Press. (2022, February 15). Ben Simmons talks mental health struggles, “moving forward” with Nets. Sportsnet.Ca. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/ben-simmons-talks-mental-health-struggles-moving-forward-nets/

4. Leitner, W. (2022, February 16). Why Ben Simmons is a “Phony” When it Comes to Mental Health. FOX Sports Radio. https://foxsportsradio.iheart.com/content/2022-02-16-why-ben-simmons-is-a-phony-when-it-comes-to-mental-health/

5. Indiana University. (2021, December 21). Display Name. News at IU. https://news.iu.edu/stories/2021/12/iub/releases/21-stigma-around-depression-drops-first-time.html

6. Dudenhoefer, N. (2020, October 20). Is Cancel Culture Effective? How Public Shaming Has Changed. Pegasus Magazine. https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/is-cancel-culture-effective/

7. McLean Hospital. (2022, April 28). Let’s Face It, No One Wants To Talk About Mental Health | McLean. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/lets-face-it-no-one-wants-talk-about-mental-health