Skip to content
NOWCAST WDSU News at 10pm
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

Athletes' mental health on the big stage

Athletes' mental health on the big stage
THE TV AND WATCHING THE OLYMPIC GAMES, YOU KNOW THESE WORLD CLASS ATHLETES ARE IN THEIR BEST PHYSICAL SHAPE OF THEIR LIVES. BUT COMPETING IN SUCH HIGH STAKES GAMES CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A TOLL ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL. FROM THE TOKYO OLYMPICS, FOUR YEARS AGO TO PARRIS NOW, WE HAVE SEEN MORE OPEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, THANKS IN PART TO GYMNAST SIMONE BILES BEING CANDID ABOUT HER OWN STRUGGLES. LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER CHASE CASSINI SAYS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IS GETTING RID OF THE STIGMA. THERE IS THIS ATTITUDE IN SOCIETY THAT BECAUSE SHE’S A CELEBRITY, SHE HAS NOTORIETY, SHE HAS FAME THAT EVERYTHING IS PERFECT FOR HER. BUT WHAT SHE’S DOING IS NORMALIZING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION. AND SHE’S CREATING THAT CONVERSATION THAT THAT IS MUCH NEEDED. AND BEYOND THE CONVERSATION, IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP. CASSINI SAYS SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION MAY PRESENT DIFFERENTLY IN
Advertisement
Athletes' mental health on the big stage
If you have been glued to the TV watching the Olympic Games, you know these are world-class athletes in the best physical shape of their lives.But competing in such high-stakes games can take a toll on your mental health as well.From the Tokyo Olympics four years ago to the Paris Games, we have seen more open conversations about mental health.This is thanks, in part, to gymnast Simone Biles being candid about her struggles.Licensed clinical social worker Chase Cassine says one important thing is getting rid of the stigma."There is this attitude in society that because she's a celebrity, she has notoriety, she has fame, that everything is perfect for her. But what she's doing is normalizing conversations about mental illness, mental health disorders, anxiety and depression. And she's creating that conversation that is much needed," said Cassine. But beyond the conversation, it's important to seek professional help. Cassine says symptoms of anxiety and depression may present differently in certain communities.

If you have been glued to the TV watching the Olympic Games, you know these are world-class athletes in the best physical shape of their lives.

Advertisement

But competing in such high-stakes games can take a toll on your mental health as well.

From the Tokyo Olympics four years ago to the Paris Games, we have seen more open conversations about mental health.

This is thanks, in part, to gymnast Simone Biles being candid about her struggles.

Licensed clinical social worker Chase Cassine says one important thing is getting rid of the stigma.

"There is this attitude in society that because she's a celebrity, she has notoriety, she has fame, that everything is perfect for her. But what she's doing is normalizing conversations about mental illness, mental health disorders, anxiety and depression. And she's creating that conversation that is much needed," said Cassine.

But beyond the conversation, it's important to seek professional help.

Cassine says symptoms of anxiety and depression may present differently in certain communities.