Athletes with DepressionFor years, there has existed a myth that celebrities and sports figures are somehow immune to the devastation of depression and other psychological conditions that lead to suicidal thinking. That myth is being shattered by the outspokenness of Olympic athletes such as Simone Biles and Michael Phelps as well as NBA players like Kevin Love and DeMar Rozan and tennis star Naomi Osaka. Each of these star athletes has candidly revealed their personal struggles with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. Their personal disclosures prove that fame, fortune, and glory do not confer immunity against the ravages of conditions that can lead to suicide.
In her 2005 memoir, the celebrity actress Brooke Shields wrote of her struggle with Postpartum Depression “I didn’t feel joyful. I attributed feelings of doom to simple fatigue and figured that they would eventually go away. But they didn’t; in fact, they got worse…....at my lowest points, I thought of swallowing a bottle of pills or jumping out the window of my apartment”.
We are living in an age of social media that sanitizes and unrealistically portrays people's lives. It is easy to get swept up in the myth that everyone else’s life is blissful. Questions such as “What’s wrong with me? Why don’t I measure up?” may creep in with a snowballing effect that can lead to feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy, low self-esteem, and ultimately depression.
More than ever, our lives are being upended by climate disasters, the coronavirus pandemic, joblessness, financial stress, and diminished social and recreational outlets. In other words, life as we once knew it, has changed. For many, these massive disruptions can result in feelings of hopelessness and despair that can lead to thoughts of death and suicide. As noted by Jake Lamb, when playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks, “Everyone has their issues, whether its mental health or other things,” he said. “Talking to a friend or family members always helps me.”
Support systems are the key. Friends, family members, members of the faith community, doctors, and therapists are all individuals who may be able to provide help.
Providence Center crisis clinicians provide 24/7 telephone assistance for adults and children in crisis.
Are in intense emotional and sometimes physical painWe now know that suicide is a result of complex factors and most often has its roots in a treatable mental health condition. There is no single cause. When suicide is talked about safely and accurately, we can help reduce the likelihood of its occurrence.
We want to change how society understands mental health and suicide – because when we open up and connect with one another, talk saves lives.
For more information about suicide and suicide prevention please visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; https://afsp.org/chapter/rhode-island
Being able to talk about suicide in a straightforward, confident way communicates to our patients and loved ones that it is okay to talk about suicide. This may increase the chance that they come to us when they need help. The more comfortable we can be talking about suicide, the more comfortable others may be in talking to us. Then, we can connect people with the help that they need.
