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Gamechangers: How Athletes Are Reshaping the Way We Talk About Mental Health

High-profile sports figures who are speaking out about mental health issues are shifting the cultural conversation around anxiety, depression, and the acute pressures of elite competition.

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Amy Maoz

Read when you’ve got time to spare.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Let Athletes Lead the Way on Mental Health

Instead of demanding perfection from sports stars who get candid about their health, viewers should admire their perseverance — and take cues from their coping skills.

Naomi Osaka: ‘It’s O.K. Not to Be O.K.’

“Life is a journey. In the past few weeks, my journey took an unexpected path but one that has taught me so much and helped me grow. I learned a couple of key lessons.”

The Radical Courage of Simone Biles’s Exit from the Team USA Olympic Finals

Biles’s decision not to compete is, to many spectators, a heartbreak. It is also a welcome example of an athlete setting her own limits.

‘I‘m Not the Only One‘: Paralympian Jaleen Roberts Is Changing the Conversation on Mental Health

“If I have to be the first one to tell my story and be vulnerable with people that I don’t even know, then that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

We Celebrated Kerri Strug's Sacrificial Vault. Now We Know Better.

Athletes like Simone Biles are making gymnastics better for competitors and spectators.

Letter to My Younger Self

“You’ll realize that you can’t perform and grind and hustle your way out of a problem instead of dealing with it. That kind of recklessness has its own consequences.”

Michael Phelps: A Golden Shoulder to Lean On

“Michael’s been there and he understands, so it’s almost like you can plug right into that support.”

How This Olympic Athlete Takes on Depression [WATCH]

This short documentary tells the story of Olympic shot putter Raven Saunders, the intensity of her 2016 Olympic experience, her childhood trauma, and the pitfalls of celebrity that challenged her mental health.

“Ricky Williams Was My Favorite Athlete”

Deemed too weird for the NFL, Williams displayed a vulnerability and sense of emotional well-being that was ahead of his time.

Kevin Love on Trying to Achieve His Way Out of Depression [LISTEN]

The NBA star hid his battle with depression and anxiety — until a very public panic attack forced him to speak out.

College Athletes Are Only Starting to Get Access to the Mental Health Care They Need

NCAA athletes have long been supported both physically and academically. Over the past few years, destigmatizing and treating mental illness has become a national priority—but there’s still a long way to go.

Baseball‘s Mental Health Reckoning

Four players have already stepped away from the game for personal reasons this season, as a growing number are speaking out about mental health issues.

Ted Lasso, the Olympics, and Talking About Mental Health

The confluence of the Apple TV+ comedy, the sports world, and social media is leading to a much needed dialog.

BONUS READ: How to Talk About Your Mental Health With Your Employer

Almost 60% of employees have never spoken to anyone at work about their mental health status.

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