Mental health has come to the center stage of sports this year. Since my last blog which anticipated the Olympics, the world witnessed Simone Biles’s challenge with the “twisties” which impacted her ability to connect her brain and the rest of her body so she would know where she was in space so she could safely land her amazing routines. She chose her physical and mental health. Novak Djokovic commented on Biles situation and then, he himself, had an outburst (he really, really smashed a racket) when he lost the semi-final match at the Olympics and went home without a medal. This has all occurred after Naomi Osaka requested to not do media interviews due to anxiety and then her withdrawal from the French Open. Again, choosing her mental health. She even had the brilliant idea to suggest that professional athlete could have a certain number of “sick days” from having to do media interviews. The US Open Tennis Tournament starts this week and they have announced that they are providing mental health resources for players just like they provide trainers for physical injuries. I’m looking forward to hearing more about it.
Then today, as I’m grilling pork chops and reading Kirk Herbstreit’s memoir, “Out of the Pocket”, I learn that he saw a sports psychologist while he was a quarterback at Ohio State. I liked Kirk before, but I really like him now!! My hope is that every high school and college athlete who reads his book learns that it is totally ok to seek help. Here’s what Kirk had to say on page 106: “Honestly I would have been more embarrassed with myself if I hadn’t taken advantage of his expertise and kindness. Or think of it this way: I had coaches throughout my life who taught me how to throw a football, how to run the option, how to drop back, how to read a defense, how to check an audible, etc. So why wouldn’t I want to take advantage of a coach who could teach me how to deal with the pressures, with the mental aspects of the game and life? Making that first appointment with Dr. Ferrante was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
In the past month I’ve learned about a television series called “Ted Lasso” featuring Jason Sudeikis of Saturday Night Live fame. Last weekend I binged the show and then watched a bunch of interviews with the actors. I learned that Brené Brown is a fan. I learned that the sports psychologist on Lasso’s team plays a crucial role. I also learned that Jason Sudeikis was a point guard on the Shawnee Mission West basketball team and he still has a wonderful relationship with that coach.
It is my hope that we are reaching a pivotal moment when it comes to mental health and social support. As more and more high-profile figures share their personal stories and promote therapy, it is my hope that counseling will become like seat belts. It will be just natural to seek help and support to protect ourselves.
Have a wonderful September and please do lots of things that you love!