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Greater than Gold

Teen Channel: Health

RED BANK, New Jersey (Achieve3000, November 23, 2020). To fans around the world, champion swimmer Michael Phelps seemed almost unbeatable. He won 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold. That's far more than any other athlete, ever.

But not everything in Phelps' life was "golden." He struggled with depression. Sometimes he still does. Other Olympic athletes have faced mental health issues, too. Snowboarder Shaun White is one. Figure skater Gracie Gold is another. Now these Olympians are speaking out.

They have an important message: Olympic athletes are only human. And they can be even more likely to have mental health issues than most people. Why? They don't have much free time. They usually begin their Olympic training at a young age, and they train hard for years. Other interests are put aside. At the Olympics, the athletes are under a lot of pressure. But afterwards, life can be even harder. About 80 percent of Olympic athletes go through depression when they return home.

And it hasn't been easy for Olympians to get the help they need. The U.S. Olympic Committee has only three mental health officers. These officers take care of about 1,000 athletes. On top of that, some athletes don't like to ask for help. They may feel they always need to appear strong.

But Phelps is working to change all that. He wants people to know that "it's OK to not be OK." He made a movie called The Weight of Gold. It has interviews with many Olympians. They share their stories about mental health issues. That may make it easier for people to seek help.

Phelps no longer swims to win medals. He's going for something greater than gold—helping people.

As he explained, "For me, that's way bigger than ever winning gold medals."

Information for this story came from AP.

What examples can you find to explain why Olympic athletes are at a high risk for mental health issues?

1 answer

Olympic athletes are at a high risk for mental health issues for several reasons:

  1. Intense Training Schedules: Athletes often start their rigorous training at a young age and devote many years to their sport, which can lead to burnout and stress.

  2. High Pressure: The pressure to perform and win at the Olympics is immense. Athletes face expectations from coaches, fans, and sponsors, which can create anxiety and stress.

  3. Limited Free Time: With a demanding training schedule, athletes often have little time to pursue other interests or socialize, which can lead to feelings of isolation.

  4. Post-Olympic Transition: After the Olympics, many athletes experience a difficult transition back to everyday life. Approximately 80 percent of Olympic athletes report going through depression when they return home, highlighting the challenges of adjusting to life outside the competition.

  5. Stigma Around Seeking Help: Some athletes may feel the need to appear strong and may be reluctant to seek help for mental health issues due to the stigma associated with vulnerability in their field.

  6. Lack of Support: The limited number of mental health professionals available to support a large group of athletes (e.g., three mental health officers for around 1,000 athletes) makes it difficult for them to access the help they need.

These factors contribute to a higher susceptibility to mental health issues among Olympic athletes.