More than ever mental health is a topic that is being brought up not only in the general society, but at the Olympic level.
Concussions have been top of mind for coaches and medical professionals for quite some time with mental health discussions lagging. Now mental health discussions are more common and mainstream, thus opening up a world of opportunities to share our own struggles.
Concussions and mental health could go hand-in-hand, but don't necessarily for each individual. The fear has been placed on individuals that every bonk on the head will likely result in a concussion. I always termed this "the big red button." With this then comes the mental health component. Words can impact someone whether its positively or negatively and over the years of being a Certified Athletic Therapist I have constantly asked myself are we, without knowingly, bringing mental health stressors to young children, teenagers, and adults when we say a word like "concussion" to a person. A concussion is a mechanical force to the body. Having worked alongside sport medicine doctors and mental performance coaches I have learned that people can hang onto certain words you say, especially in the medical field, and we need to be better at paying attention to what we say, but most importantly how we say it.
There are many stressors that a person can experience that may impact an individual mental health such as an injury, concussions, overtraining, social media, society pressure, personal life experiences, and your own perceptions. Discussing mental health is a way to understand your own mental health.
Unlike an injury, mental health is a state that you are constantly in and sometimes it creeps in when you least expect it. Every story is different. It is important to speak to someone about mental health, but also important for society to create a mental health program within a clinic, corporation, or within a sport team/organization.
The brave athletes during these recent Olympic Games, who have spoken up about mental health is incredible and I am so glad to have witnessed this moment in my life. They truly are brave, courageous, and powerful. It takes a lot to be honest with yourself about your own internal battles, but it takes even more courage and bravery to say it to society and asking for help.
The one question that I leave you. Is who are you outside of work? Who are you outside of your sport?
If you don't have the answer that is fine! You might not. But just remember you are a human being you're not a robot. You're more than you're work and you're more than your sport.
People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel!
