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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The gold medal-winning US athlete has withdrawn from Thursday’s women’s all-around final, having pulled out after one rotation of the women’s team final on Tuesday in Tokyo, citing mental health concerns.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“I think in years gone by if athletes have withdrawn for these types of reasons then possibly some other reason or excuse has been made but I think what’s particularly interesting and admirable on this occasion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.”
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Hundreds?? Pull the other one. I was there and there at least a few thousand
CORRECT
https://www.facebook.com/100004589328097/videos/1042578915905076/
That headline should be changed out of respect for the victims
@The Risen: I was watching the exorcist last night, remember, can you help an old alter boy father?
@ thejournal: Thank you.
@Daniel Brogan: news sites and and gardai are quoting just below 1,000 for the protest in Dublin so 1/130th the size of the phoenix park event.
But in fairness who cares about numbers. Both groups of people had a right to their voice and if people got their voice out for either then who am I to knock either event!
@Greg Kelly: let’s be very clear about one thing, there is absolutely no valid reason to knock an event to remember victims of abuse by the church. There are a few very valid reasons to knock those in charge of the church
@Dave O Keeffe: true. Don’t disagree with you there.
@The Risen: “Thank you” …for giving this “demonstration much more publicity than it warranted”.
@SeanGabriel1453: are you saying that the victims don’t deserve to be remembered or what? Seems an odd choice of events to be opposed to.
Hundreds? No. It was at the very least in the thousands.
@Carol Oates: Garda estimate under 1,000′
@SeanGabriel1453: That is a bizarre figure to come out with. Just look at any of the videos posted. Especially the one posted above. Unless they are trying to say all those people just happened to stumble to the Garden of Remembrance for some other reason than the rally, then all at once about faced and decided independently, nothing to do with the rally, to walk in the same direction at the same time. Some mad coincidence not that they were there for the rally. If it wasn’t so worrying that the Gardai are officially trying to play down the event, it would be funny.
The irish media contributed to this ‘fanfare’ including TheJournal – i am in Germany this weekend and watched all the various news channels around the world last night. Ireland’s Pope visit featured very prominantly on many, including German, French and U.S.
The headlines and discussions between journalists were focussed on the clerical sex abuse, cover-up and oppression in Ireland and across the world. They were waiting on an apology and his will to seek justice for those affected. They were applauding Ireland for demanding accountabilty and justice, and also for the transition to a modern secular society.
In the meantime, i’m watching RTE and TheJournal hype up and celebrate the guy … to the insult to the 10’s of thousands that were abused in the most horrific way.
@Skybloo:
You show yourself up against the rest of the world media that was 100% behind the abuse survivors, and those that didn’t make it.
@Skybloo: the journal reported events as they occured. Even on this very article there’s a guy accusing them of being biased against the church. Regardless of anything outside of it the visit of the pope is news. But the journal covered all related stories as well.
@Skybloo: Sorry I think you are deluded, the Irish media could not ignore the scale or significance of the Papal visit, look at similar media coverage in communist Cuba for example. The Irish middle class clique called the “media” have been pretty unrelenting in their sneers, ageism, wise cracks, smart-ass jibes, with Journal.ie being no exception.
@SeanGabriel1453: you’re deluded. It was a very significant event, all that empty space. So many no shows scared off by a drop of rain.
It is important not to conflate child sexual abuse by clerics, which is entirely on the RCC, with the manner in which institutions such as the Magdalene laundries were allowed to operate legally and in full view. That is on the state.
@Dave Slater: sexual abuse by clerics in state schools? in industrial schools? is not the same as abuse in magdalen laundries? or illegal adoptions’? or infant deaths through poor medical and nursing care?
Aren’t they all ways of dealing with what the catholic church created in ireland?
The entire sexual imbroglio was a business issue for the catholic Church – they created the problem and the ways of dealing with it and made money as they did so
Have a look here at the way we were and rejoice we have come so far but there is still a rocky road to travel
https://eurofree3.wordpress.com/2018/08/26/the-rocky-road-to-dublin-the-way-we-were/
PS it’s hard viewing
@Dave Slater: Schools were also “in full view”. It was the long boney fingered hand of the RCC that had its suffocating grip on every aspect of our society. They had it all tied up. Good riddance to those days.
Complete BS. Thousands marched to the laundry. Videos are up on social media proving this…
@The Risen: your all very uptight when the numbers are involved.whether you were in the park or up @ the garden of remembrance take whatever experience you got from both and leave it that.
@matthew o reilly: did somebody not get the crowd they anticipated today?
@Dave O Keeffe: well I was down in wexford having a good weekend away from my home in Dublin so I don’t know.alot of people in the hotel though
@matthew o reilly: so what’s your issue with someone asking for accurate reporting?
@matthew o reilly: ps glad you enjoyed your weekend, Wexford is lovely.
@The Risen: …Yes “we had loads of people …they didnt” …so there…how old are you? 9 ?
@SeanGabriel1453: you’re about 12 hours late to this article kid. A bit childish not to try to talk to people on the latest article about church abuse.
No point in asking for forgiveness if you’re not willing to do the penance. A couple of decades of the rosary is not going to cut it here.
@Audrey Muddiman: he asked for a full pardon in the park. After him changing his language from ‘crimes’ committed back to ‘abuses’ individuals were responsible for, this lad is running for the hills. The us embassador revealing that he knew of cover up has shaken him and he’s going back to forgive us and go easy speak. It won’t cut it til the hierarchy are locked up.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: that guy calling for his resignation believes it was all down to homosexuality so I wouldn’t be taking too much notice of him.
@Dave O Keeffe: Jesus! Really? I clearly didn’t read the full report then. I’ll still wait on something coming out about him given how many Cardinals have been complicit and his history if defending and promoting paedo enablers.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: if you want to know what this pope is all about just look to Donegal…Bishop Boyce “was keen to protect the family of the convicted priest from further trauma by not initiating laicization,” the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church found in a 2011 review.
For those in Donegal, Bishop Boyce’s appointment was salt in the wounds. Francis chose him to replace John McAreavey, who resigned as bishop of Dromore after coming under fire for officiating at the funeral of a priest he knew to be a pedophile. It is unclear whether Bishop McAreavey was disciplined by the church.
@Dave O Keeffe: never heard about that. Thanks!
What drugs is Marian Keyes on? The truth finally … etc.
We always knew, I knew as a primary kid, the dogs on the street knew and all the politicians, journalists and academics knew. They knew that was child molesters in the priesthood and they knew exactly what the laundries were. They never raised a quip until some awkward peasants like Christine and co forced the issues. Like the villagers around Belsen, they knew.
@Greg Blake: in the context of her full speech she was showing how far Ireland has come from the days that it was acceptable to completely discount survivor accounts out of hand and deny the abuse, then deny cover ups and continue to do so now without any consideration for the victims. But now Ireland and the world know exactly how they do business.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: didn’t get her full speech, but the rest of the comment stands. Much of the shocked condemnation comes now from the very people who ignored it back then. That is why expressions like ‘the truth coming out’ or ‘recent disclosures’ being flung around are sickening.
I can confidently state that everybody in positions of authority and everybody with a public ear, right up to the last decade knew about it.
@Greg Blake: yes, absolutely. I’ve grown up with an understanding that priests are kiddy fiddlers from comedy followed by reports and revelations. Everyone always knew but the human condition dictates that you go along and keep the head down. What ppl did and didn’t do was deplorable but we judge them by today’s standards. She was referencing Philadelphia and the cover ups that are coming out and the Vatican lack of true condemnation and humility. Context is everything
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: ok agreed, I see where your coming from. I was out of context and location. At home didn’t want to go head above the parapet, which is an understandable response for the general population. However there were also people who had voices, who are happy to bandwagon now, especially if it distances themselves from criticism and there are others, newer generations, who are very vocal to mark out their educational superiority over past generations. In reality they would have kept quiet too. The breakthrough came from the persistence of some people who have would been less celebrated than those now on many of the podiums. Cynical.
In all fairness, the silence from SF has been deafening :(
Typical biased clown article from the Journal.
@Lazz Tonge: what bias?
@Lazz Tonge: Tbh they’re usually biased the other way
@Lazz Tonge: yes the language is biased. By all accounts there were thousands in attendance not “more than a thousand”.
@Dave O Keeffe: he’s not to clever that one @lazz tonge. Looks like a village may be missing an idiot
@Beabad Bishop: you don’t stand for anything mate, your only interest is church bashing?? Do you believe in God, what are your beliefs, you use this whole church bashing theme to deflect from your own insecurities…
You don’t have the guts to even look at yourself, I bet you didn’t even go to this march your so keen to parade????
Are you even a Buddist??? Doubt it…
@Lazz Tonge: you are a troubled soul. You’re so confused you use question marks as full stops and commas and full stops as question marks!
The only notable thing about this weekend was the general apathy on display. The lack of crowds at the events, show both sides failed to strike a chord with the public.
Just goes to show the average citizen only gets exercised when something effects their pockets or to get on the bandwagon of a sporting success.
Glad it went well for all Pope fans.
Certain group from the north didn’t get the media attention they would have hoped for .
We should consider holding a march every year
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