After Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, 25-Year-Old Track and Field Sensation Raises Voice on Mental Health Importance

Mental health neglect is like a slow poison. It devours your very being and dozens of athletes, including Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Jordan Chiles and Kevin Love, can attest to the detrimental effects of mental health issues. To stay at the top of their game, athletes must be healthy both mentally and physically. While mental well-being has long been neglected, examples of Sha’carri Richardson And it’s not Lyles Perspectives have changed forever. One of the prominent names in the field of US women’s athletics, Sha’Carri Richardson, mentioned that she almost committed suicide as a child due to her mental trauma.

To help people get rid of the stigma surrounding mental health issues, Noah Lyles addressed his fans after winning bronze in the 200 meters in Tokyo. Lyles came out and revealed that, like the others, he too was afraid to begin his journey as an athlete. Lyles also wanted to make it clear that seeking help from a psychologist is not something to be ashamed of. Well, it seems many track stars besides Lyles and Richardson have similar feelings. Irish athletics icon Sharlene Mawdsley also recently reflected on his mental journey.

Sharlene Mawdsley talks about women in sport and mental health

Sitting down for an exclusive interview with IMAGE, Irish 400m sprinter Sharlene Mawdsley spoke about the various aspects of women’s sport. The most important of these was mental health. When she was asked how she could combat her inner demons, she Mawdsley admitted without hesitation to having gone to a psychologist. She said, “Working with my sports psychologist and talking to my support team if I have difficulties.”

Mawdsley then delved into how women’s sports are still a stigma. Although she admitted that the stigma has been alleviated to some extent so far, significant changes were required for it to be a level playing field. Mawdsley also noted that there are organizations working specifically for the expansion of women’s sports, which in itself is an indication that the ratio between men and women is not on par at the moment.

And while women in sports are still overlooked, adding the mental health angle can prove to be a deadly combination. A stark reminder of the same was the case of 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie. Bowie, who won team gold in the 4x100m relay, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although she sought occasional help, lack of proper attention to her condition could have resulted in her premature death. Bowie was said to have died due to complications from childbirth. However, her coach, AI Joyner, thought otherwise. Joyner stated: “It’s not that it went unnoticed… I think people didn’t take it seriously enough.” And it’s not these athletes who have been fighting their mental demons every day. There are many more. For example, Kenny Bednarek.

Kenny Bednarek advocates for professional help

Kenny Bednarek has become an overwhelming force in American track and field. Although he has achieved several important victories, Bednarek is always concerned about keeping his mental well-being as a first priority. In a recent upload, Bednarek talked about how the mind can be trained and how it can work in any way.

Advocating for seeking professional help, Bednarek commented: “Pro tip: As an athlete, your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy, depending on how you use it. That is why it is important to train the mind and get help from a mental coach.” Therefore, with increasing competition in the professional ranks, athletes should not go all out without addressing their mental health needs first.

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