"Sports, Depression and Me": A Response to Michael Landsberg
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week has inspired many conversations about mental health, thanks in part to Bell Let’s Talk Day and the courageous storytelling of Michael Landsberg and other athletes.
The main objective of these initiatives is to erase the stigma associated with “mental health disorders.” And lets face it; most of us do have quite negative connotations with the term “mental health” – you’re either viewed as ‘crazy’, ‘not normal’ or simply, ‘weak’.
What I have learned over the past five years especially is that mental health is NOT a sign of weakness, and it’s certainly not something to be neglected. Most of us are obsessed about our physical health – beauty, fitness, fashion, etc. – but we neglect our mental health. In order to look good, we must first feel good, and this is something most of us do not fully understand.
There are varying degrees of mental health disorders – none of which are to be undermined – but something all of us do go through in our lives, are times of despair. I think we live in a society that is so afraid to show vulnerability or weakness, that this hurts us as individuals.
Everyone has his or her story of weakness…everyone.
Between the ages of about 16-18 was when I went through my toughest times: I moved out of my parent’s house, switched schools, had a really bad break-up and experienced the deaths of my grandmother and best friend. At the time I thought I was just fine, but in retrospect I was a disaster.
What I think I failed to do, like many people, was talk to someone. I grew up in a household where failure was not an option and weakness was unacceptable. I didn’t understand or acknowledge, the healing properties of communication.
Today I continue to grow and learn and recognize something new about myself everyday. Sports and athletics has become my outlet, and I’ve been truly privileged in that my career allows me to talk with athletes about their craft, and what’s even more compelling, their personal journey.
I’ve been so inspired by the conversations led by Let’s Talk Day and other various individuals. They have made, and continue to make, huge positive strides in the public and social spheres of mental health.
We’ve heard the heartbreaking story of Daron Richardson – daughter of Ottawa Senators’ coach Luke Richardson – who took her own life last year. Did you know suicide is the second leading cause of death among teenagers?
That is completely unacceptable.
We’ve also heard the stories of Clara Hughes, Darryl Strawberry and Stephane Richer on TSN…three brilliant athletes who were strong enough to open up and share their journey. One in five Canadians will experience a form of mental illness in their lifetime, just like these three did, but two thirds of those people will suffer in silence because they fear judgment and rejection.
Unacceptable.
We as individuals; as human beings; as members of society, need to erase the stigma and erase the fear, and realize that all of us – from top athletes, to broadcasters, to fans, whoever – experience moments of weakness. And we should never, ever be ashamed.
Thank you Michael Landsberg for inspiring my conversation.
