Mental health is health

By Derek Tahara | He/Him/His

August 15, 2021

Nobody could have predicted what Simone Biles, one of the most decorated Olympic gymnasts, would do in the Tokyo Olympics.

Biles opted out of the United States’ all-around event and later withdrew from the individual competition due to her mental health — a condition many gymnasts describe as “the twisties.” Her status for individual apparatus finals is uncertain.

In an article by The Wall Street Journal, “the twisties” are described as “a sudden onset of disorientation in the air that causes them to lose skills they have comfortably performed for years, with potentially catastrophic consequences.”

Photo by: Doug Mills, The New York Times

With pressure mounting to deliver, Biles made the correct, smart decision to not perform in the Olympics. Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open this year to protect and preserve her mental health. NBA stars Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan have spoken in the past about their struggles and the importance of their mental health.

It is time for people to understand that mental health is health. It is a part of us as humans, whether people want to deny it or not. It also fits this theme of healing we have from AAPI Heritage Month back in May. The healing process involves mental health that should not be underestimated, especially for elite professional athletes like Biles and Osaka.

In an interview back in January with eight-time Olympic medalist, Apolo Ohno, who is now an entrepreneur and motivational speaker, said he had to maintain a “poker face” as an athlete. He wants to help people who are struggling with their mental health.

“Part of my purpose is to help people realize their own inner strength and also de-stigmatize talking about them — to know there’s a lot of people like that,” Ohno remarked.

If there’s any Buddhist value that fits our theme of healing and mental health, it is compassion. Treating people with compassion, especially if they are struggling with their mental health, is key. Biles and Osaka are two elite athletes, speaking out about their mental struggles, shows a more human side to them, as athletes are often considered as products of our entertainment. They opened up and were showered with support from social media users and are helping normalize discussing mental health struggles.

Presumably, more athletes will be candid about their mental health struggles after seeing the courageous actions from Biles and Osaka, and speak about their own experiences. However, it’s on society to support their decisions and encourage them, to humanize these professional athletes and just be compassionate.