The Olympic Games have always been a stage to celebrate the pinnacle of human performance, but lately, we've seen a shift in focus: the overcoming of athletes' mental health issues.
© REUTERS - BENOIT TESSIER
While it's undeniable that mental health is a crucial topic, there's something unsettling about the tone with which the media and the public treat these stories. Are we glorifying mental illness as a prerequisite for heroism?
Why do we only pay attention to athletes' suffering when it is conveniently romanticized as a narrative of triumph? Doesn't this diminish the daily struggle of millions who don't have a gold medal to validate their pain? Moreover, there are those who exploit these stories to amplify their own presence on social media, displaying opportunism disguised as empathy. By turning mental illness into a spectacle, we risk forgetting that the true victory lies not in conquering the podium but in finding balance and well-being away from the spotlight.
The contradiction in society is evident in high-profile cases like Simone Biles. In the last Olympics, when she withdrew to take care of her mental health, she was seen as a heroine, fragile but brave. Now, after winning several medals, she is once again placed on a pedestal as a heroine and "iron woman," as if she never had or continues to have mental health challenges. This kind of simplistic and contradictory narrative not only disrespects the complexity of mental health but also perpetuates the mistaken idea that success erases or resolves all problems.
To better recognize those with mental health challenges, each of us can adopt some behavioral changes. Practice genuine empathy, understanding that mental health is a daily battle, regardless of public victories or defeats. We should also avoid glorifying or simplifying the experiences of those who are socially exposed, acknowledging the courage involved in facing such challenges publicly.
Finally, it is essential to support a more holistic and continuous view of mental health, remembering that a moment of triumph does not erase previous difficulties and that support must be constant. Only in this way can we build a more understanding and supportive society, less focused on what others will think of what we say or do.
After all, in the whirlwind of discussions about mental health, it's enough that there are those who speak about it with as much legitimacy as possible without being health professionals, especially in psychology or psychiatry, let alone discussing cases they know only from the public's superficial perspective, when they are often lifelong battles.
Comments