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Kenya: Mental Health Issues Big Challenge for Athletes

Published

4 years ago

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No one can survive in life through lone ranger tactics rather we all need a shoulder to lean on in tough times.

Lately, we have read in the media about various international athletes coming out to confess about their mental health challenges. American tennis superstar Naomi Osaka dropped out of the French Open due to what she termed as mental fragility in the face of incessant questions by the media over her performance.

Former Wales winger Craig Bellamy last month quit his role as the assistant coach at Belgian side Anderlecht due to his mental health struggles. These athletes show that sports persons are not super humans as we often think and may also feel vulnerable at certain moments in their careers.

Back at home, Athletics Kenya is not blind to the fact that certain athletes are experiencing mental health struggles. This has become more pronounced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in the cancellation of many global athletics events, which were the source of daily bread for many athletes.

Even before the pandemic, mental health has been an issue of concern as far as athletes are concerned. Mental health and sports are intertwined and affect one another. An athlete cannot perform well when he or she is not in the right state of mind; events on the track and pitch can also affect their mental health and how they relate to other people in their lives.

Other athletes sink into depression–and subsequently, alcoholism and illegal drug use – after retirement due to idleness after long years characterized by busy calendars. Others struggle to fathom that they have nothing to show financially after many years on the track and field.