Unmasking the stigma: Sports and mental health

Mental health in sports remains one of the most untouched topics. Rarely have you seen a sportsperson talking about their pre-game nerves turning into an anxiety attack.

Moments spent in isolation contemplating every single step they took on the field. Catching their breath when no one is watching. Nights when they feel frozen and time moves too fast.

Every setback, every misstep, and every rejection takes a toll on an athlete's mental health. They won't show it because they are not allowed to. Athletes are perceived as men and women made of steel with impenetrable armours; nothing and no one can pull them down. They're expected to bounce back just as quickly as they fall.

But athletes are people! The impact that competitive sport has on mental health is seriously understated. There is no place for showing weakness in professional sports. I have seen countless cricketers completely break down in the pavilion, then step back onto the field like nothing ever happened. 

I have seen athletes wipe off their tears mid-game under their caps. I have seen players develop eating disorders and move into complete isolation. There's no set path in sports. Every day is different from the other, which makes it so gruelling. Their minds and their bodies are constantly at work. In addition to all that, there's no financial safety net for most athletes.

The higher you go, the higher the risk of crumbling under pressure

Traits such as perfectionism, introversion or hyper fixation are normalised and idolised in athletes. Barely do people know that these internal variables, more often than not, are the first step down the spiral to a lifetime of mental health issues. 

Poor mental health significantly impacts performance, and performance dramatically affects mental health. And most athletes are stuck in this vicious cycle. These issues first feel like distractions, but as soon as the stakes are raised and the need to perform well heightens, the distractions become magnified.

England star all-rounder Ben Stokes was in a very dark place during his four-month-long hiatus in 2021. He stated that he was having a callous time dealing with bio bubbles and his life off-field. 

He confessed that he rarely discusses his mental health and found incredible power in just talking about it. He expressed that talking about his mental health out in the open completely changed him and now believes 'talking' is a powerful tool.  

He showed tremendous courage in opening up about his issues and taking time off for mental health. As a result, he was showered with support from teammates, peers and fans across the globe.

Glenn Maxwell was so mentally exhausted that he wanted his arm broken. All so that he could take a break from cricket. During a net session, Shaun Marsh had been hit by a ball; later, Maxwell was also hit on the arm. 

The two were taken to a hospital where it was confirmed that Marsh broke his arm while Maxwell only faced a minor injury. Maxwell confessed that he kept hoping for a break, and when he was told his arm was alright, he had thought about breaking his arm himself.

"I was like; this is it, I just need a break'... I was thinking about things I could do on the way back to snap it," said Maxwell, who soon after took a month-long break.

Former England wicketkeeper and batter Sarah Taylor opened up about her mental health issues and ultimately announced her retirement because she could no longer cope with the pressures of international cricket. She suffered from severe anxiety. 

Cricket didn't cause the anxiety, but the anxiety dragged her away from the game and the people in her life. She stated that she felt utterly lonely for a span of four or five years. 

Although she did take some time off, she could not bear the pressure. As a result, she spent the last three years in isolation and avoided training. She admitted that she didn't understand the severity.

"It's dark, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

If sports had given the same importance to mental health as physical health, we would have much safer spaces for athletes to excel. Unfortunately, mental health issues do not appear out of the blue. There are always signs to look for. Proper structures should be put into place to protect athletes from succumbing to their poor mental health. 

Mental health issues should be tended to with the same gravity as physical injuries. It is crucial to normalise athletes seeking help.  Screenings for depression, anxiety, substance use and eating disorders should be established. Finally, and most importantly, athletes should be allowed to function as normal human beings.