To many, the fan who can only dream of reaching elite status in any sport, professional athletes who battle with depression makes little to no sense.
These are millionaires. These are our hero’s, those our children aspire to become. These are people bereft of mental weaknesses, hardened sporting machines trained to perform to the highest athletic standards.
According to the Black Dog Institute, almost half (45%) of Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. In line with this statistic, leading experts suggest that up to 15 percent of elite athletes suffer from depression.
It stemmed from a struggle to cope with a career-threatening injury, it can be blamed on the difficulties of a post-sporting life outside the limelight, it was the fault of a life lived in the coddled bubble of an elite athlete who did not prepare for a life lived in reality.
To point to one reason for suicides among professional athletes is a futile exercise. We are not inside their heads; we can never know what drove them to the edge and ultimately over. Mental illness, depression and the inner workings of the brain are areas around which many questions still remain, so much so that science is still coming to terms with their impacts.
Many will say these athletes are well paid, it is a career they chose, and they knew what they were getting themselves into, but this attitude plays a role in why most who are suffering from depression keep it to themselves rather than seeking help.
To progress forward, there needs to be a lot more communication with administrative bodies.
Work needs to be done to create an environment where athletes are comfortable talking about the issue, and this will only happen when there is no longer a fear that by raising the issue the athlete in question will be discriminated against, or will see his or her future within the chosen field affected.
All this is not to say that the jobs of the ‘everyday’ citizen isn’t tough, but for too long, many have had an attitude that, if a professional athlete shows any sign of weakness, they need to harden up.
Having been a sufferer of depression myself, I must admit it was extremely difficult to understand how those who are involved in elite sport come to battle the ‘Black Dog’.
It was only after spending time with them that you come to realise that they are just like me and you. They experience the same emotions. The only difference is that they are open to public scrutiny because of their choice of career.
We can only hope that through an increase in awareness, administrators, family and friends will continue to be at the forefront of their rehabilitation, and the wider community will increase their understanding of this affliction.
Ultimately, the lesson is simple, neither money nor fame can insulate someone against mental illness.
nordster
Guest
Well by 'their own way' id also include people around them in that...so i mean more by their own way, via influences in their lives....could be anything from friends, themselves, family, reading, all sorts of things. As opposed to a purely clinical setting. There are all different kinds of support and sometimes the ones integrated into your life are longer lasting...especially once the expensive type of support dries up, which it usually does. I have a bit of a beef with some of the traditional, orthodox approaches to 'mental health' if u couldnt tell that already :)
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Ok I misunderstood. Sorry. I agree but I would bet that the "no expense spared" method has a higher success rate than the "battling it out alone, with no support" method.
nordster
Guest
Thats ok, i didnt mean it dismissively and i have a pretty good perspective when it comes to understanding homelessness tbf... My point was the 'no expense spared' approach has its issues also. Sometimes people find their way through these things in all sorts of ways, often far removed from well funded 'mental health professionals'. The day to day, unexpected influences can be just as beneficial.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Well let's look at it this way: Scenario A. A gifted player gets into trouble and is diagnosed as suffering from depression. The player has the benefit of team doctors and other professionals. Heaven and earth are moved to get this person treatment and no expense is spared. Scenario B. A person of lower means is suffering from the same kind of depression. That person does not have the support network of professionals watching his or her every move. He or she struggles on, getting worse. He or she then starts to let things slip - and finds out that no employer wants them. Their spouse can't take it anymore... You get the picture. If you think that we should be worried about the welfare of the person in Scenario A because they are famous, may I politely suggest that you spend some time with one of the wonderful organisations helping the homeless and destitute in your city or town. You might just come away with a different perspective about who needs our help and concern more.
nordster
Guest
Really depends on the 'treatment'...sometimes the simplest options are better...i wouldnt put too much stock in expensive options as an end in themselves, although id agree strong support networks can be key. Although often the longer lasting successes are self motivated. Throwing money at 'mental health' is often misguided especially when it happens via a govt led, bureaucratic approach.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
At least these well paid athletes have the support networks and money to seek help. Many have neither. I do not worry about those well off souls who can find treatment - I do worry about those who can not.
nordster
Guest
Ok this may be a controversial POV...and dont mean it disrespectfully at all... but 'depression' is seen by some as a largely a self fulfilling construct...there is some academic basis to this from the clinical psychology end of the scale vs the psychiatric, med based approach. Id recommend Richard Bentall as a reference if anyone is keen on this perspective. Some of the 'mental disorder' based practitioners while well meaning, can dig a bigger hole for some folks...papering over real issues and over categorising.
shane
Roar Guru
Appreciate your contribution Robz, keep well buddy.
Robz
Guest
I too suffer from depression. And whilst not a professional sportsperson, I have always considered that my life is really none to bad. I have a good job, a place to live, food on my table, clothes on my back, amazing family and friends. This actually made my depression worse in a sense because I used to say to and about myself that I have nothing to feel depressed about; that I had no right to feel this way. It was only when I accepted that depression is an illness it has nothing to do with how well your material life is going, just as other ilnesses don't - that I was finally able to seek help to get better. I will always have bouts of depresssion for the rest of my life, but I know how to manage and treat this disease now. And I make a point of informing my boss in any new job I take - it is better that they are aware there will be times when i go through bouts of depression and it may have a short-term impact on my personality around the office and on my work; but that I am in control of and managing it. I have never had a boss or work colleague that I have told that has had any problem with it, or treats me any differently because I am sick.