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OLYMPIC GYMNAST SIMONE Biles has been praised for speaking openly about the importance of looking after her mental health, amid a call for people facing “perfect storms” of pressure to be supported whether in daily life or top-level sport.
The gold medal-winning US athlete has withdrawn from Thursday’s women’s all-around final, having pulled out after one rotation of the women’s team final on Tuesday in Tokyo, citing mental health concerns.
Her decision has been described as “brave” by a mental health charity, and a specialist sports performance academic said her openness is “admirable”.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Biles said: “I say, put mental health first because if you don’t, then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to.
“So it’s OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are, rather than just battle through it.”
She was “extremely articulate and poised” and spoke “really maturely” about the issue, said Dr David Fletcher, senior lecturer in performance psychology and management at Loughborough University.
He told the PA news agency: “I think a lot of people who’ve had mental health issues in society at large will push on and persevere or if they do take time off work they may not explain or be upfront about the exact reasons why that might be, so hopefully she’s going to serve as a role model on this front.”
He said withdrawal from such a major event for which there will have been huge preparation made is a decision which “is not made lightly”.
He added: “I think if she was withdrawing for a physical injury or a physical health issue then people would probably not bat too much of an eyelid but because it’s a psychological health issue it’s gained a lot more attention, because she has been so open and transparent about it.
“I think in years gone by if athletes have withdrawn for these types of reasons then possibly some other reason or excuse has been made but I think what’s particularly interesting and admirable on this occasion is that she has been very honest and open about that.”
Athletes competing on the world stage are “under the gaze of a global audience of billions” and, while they willingly compete at such a high level, it is “totally understandable” they might struggle under that weight, Dr Fletcher said.
It is at times like these when people need support, he added.
He said: “You get these perfect storms of pressures and strains that are out of the ordinary and pushing us to our very limits.
“And we will all be tested, and I’m not sure that if people are under that type of strain and pressure, whether you’d say to them ‘you’re lacking in resilience’.
“They’re being pushed right outside their comfort zones and that’s the time to get round people and support them and do everything that you can to help them through these tough periods.”
“And I think we’re seeing exactly the same thing here with these athletes. They’re pushing themselves right to their boundaries. They’re stepping on to the courts, the swimming pools, the athletics track through their own choice, but nonetheless they are pushing themselves to their boundaries under the gaze of a global audience of billions.”
Dr Fletcher said he is hoping for a “societal change” around mental health perceptions amid such open discussions from well-known names.
He said: “I think there is a movement in and around the understanding of mental health and if Olympic sport, professional sport can lead the way on that, I think that’s only a good thing.”
Katie Legg, director of strategy and partnerships at Mental Health UK, said it is a sign of strength rather than weakness to be open about mental health struggles.
She said: “Athletes push themselves to the limit to perform at the pinnacle of their sport, and they understand the role good mental health and resilience plays in achieving their dreams.
“None of us watching at home can fully understand what Simone is going through, but there is no doubt that this was a brave decision to take with the world watching your every move and the weight of a nation on your shoulders.
“To be open that you are struggling and to ask for support is not a sign of weakness, but a strength. We can all learn from her example and prioritise our mental health as much as our physical health.”
Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity at Mind, said: “We hope Simone’s decision encourages anyone struggling with their mental health to get the help and support they need. We applaud and respect Simone and hope that she is given the space and time she needs to look after her mental health.”
Greed.
@Moses: You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’
To see you again…
@Moses: It’s perfectly reasonable. You can’t be going around looking at stuff for free. I live in quite a scenic area and the other day I saw some fella looking at some lovely things, bold as brass. I was having none of it. Stood in front of him until he left, so I did. Cheeky git.
We have done this lovely walk many times.(And contributed to the local economy by staying in a bnb and purchasing locally). I would not pay to walk again.
@Fiona Liston: Plenty that will. We don’t need ya
@Luma plex: I’m assuming you’re joking. If not, you think it’s ok to charge people to walk in the fresh air ? And people give out about expensive Dublin ? Clare will become the new rip off place to visit.
Very surprised the comments are open on this article…..the articles for commenting on are getting fewer by the day for some reason !
@Jb Walshe: After seeing some of the comments that were deleted before closing the comments on the article about the memorial to national soldiers I can understand why comments are not being open on all articles.
@Roy Dowling: Example?
@I’m Far Right: the most notable one was using Veradkers sexuality to attack him instead of just saying he shouldn’t have been there. No need for it and probably the reason comments were closed
@Roy Dowling: That sounds awful. Hopefully Leo didn’t see it. Poor wee lad.
@Jb Walshe: those debunked articles are hilarious, usually overlook plenty of facts to suit the explanation and comments are closed in case they’re rumbled.
@I’m Far Right: Ah so you are one of those. Don’t know who I’m surprised
@Fintan Stack: this is the real reason. Talk about how much you like Coldplay all you like, but don’t come here to discuss serious topics and expect not get censored at some stage by the blatantly biased Journal.
They must be in trouble if they’re asking for handouts in the middle of an article.
@Journal Snowflake: …and without so much as a reach-around.
@Fintan Stack: Well don’t read it if you don’t like it! There are plenty of other Irish news sources if you don’t like The Journal’s values. It’s free. What’s the problem? You pay for what you get.
@Journal Snowflake: yes, we’re the fourth richest country in the world, our worst off are 60% better off than the worst off in the UK, and somebody with four dependent kids who chooses never to work can get state supports including housing that equate to a salary of more than 50k before tax. Our medical care and education are free, older people get a pension even if they never contributed to one, along with free travel.
So yes, we’re being screwed, we should kick out our centrist governments and replace them with the IRA.
(Or the weird lad with all the gold bars).
Greed, greed and more ******k8n greed. What a sham of a country we have become.
@Charles Mc Carthy: It is not the ordinary people who are greedy but it is those few fat Greedy Councilors who firmly believe that it is their job to relieve people of their hard earned money. I haven’t visited the Cliffs since the council began charging for parking. None of my children have never visited the Cliffs. How many people who live within ten miles of the Cliffs will never visit the them?
@Seán Ó Maoildeirg: your kids are missing out. Park in Doolin old village for free, it’s 5 mins walk from walk to Cliffs of Moher, spectacular views along the way – although probably takes 90 mins at least to get to O’Brien’s Tower
I remember when there was just a car park at the Cliffs of Moher. No charge……. no bother at all. Then the greed started to kick in. I haven’t been back since
@Johannes Baader: you had a car back then? And you’re still driving? Respect!
Yeay capitalism !
@Alex Kane: You don’t understand what capitalism is.
@Alex Kane: Capitalism was the farmers who decided to use their own property as carparks and undercut the council one in price by a huge percentage. That was kind of cool huh? That’s the free market approach but the government doesn’t like the free market competing like that, so they shut down the competition. In short, capitalism was providing a good solution here and the quasi socialist government stopped it.
Boycott these activities and let’s see what happens when no money is getting in.
Comments closed for the protest at Cork City Library. What are you afraid of, Journal? Free speech?
The boom is back baby……greed is good
And what about Lahinch and Lehinch
All these objections are falling on deaf ears. It’s a long long way from Clare to hear
Well done to the protesters in cork
They’ll be charging to get in to O’Connors or McGanns next.
Nothing wild about the wild Atlantic way
@eoin fitzpatrick: It’s wilder than your one bed flat in dcc
Maybe they could raise the local property tax instead?
Clare locals should stick to farming and stop moaning. They’re our cliffs now.
@Luma plex: Your cheque is in the post.
Thieving c$$ts
Questions….
Surely stopping to drop someone off is not a parking violation…?
Can the double yellow lines be appealled ..positive action is needed.
I was one of the fools that had to pay e12 a person as there was 4 of us in car . To walk along in the rain with the THOUSANDS of others . 1% of them IRISH . 99% TOURISTS. They won’t let u stop the car anywhere near to let people out . As marshalls out moving traffic and ticketing ppl. They even charge u to go into the tower now . So basically rip off ireland at its best . 2 hrs at the cliffs . E48 entrance . 4 Coffees e16 . The rain free , definitely a Mastercard movement.
No one should be charged to walk on a cliff.
No one should be charged to drop someone off.
And there should be a legal maximum to charge people to park their cars.
How absolutely ridiculous.
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