Natalie Giles

6-7-19

Humanities 4-5

Sports and Society

Athletes aren't exempt from the struggles everyday people experience, in fact, they are

more likely to suffer from mental health issues from the physical strain and mental stress. Mental

illness isn't discussed often in the arena of sports but it has been seen to have a deep impact on

the lives of a few prominent athletes. Serena was impacted after the birth of her daughter,

Alexis, and Imani Boyette's experience is from childhood trauma. They have dealt with very

different mental health battles, and have shared them with the public, which has in turn helped

many to relate and feel less alone. They are both inspirations in their own way, and role models

to show that an obstacle doesn't overshadow your excellence. Athletes could also help dispel the

stigmas toward mental health issues, as they have access to sports psychologists. The realm of

sports provides people with platforms, Serena Williams and Imani Boyette have shed light on the

benefits of seeking help and spoken their truths on personal struggles. That, in turn, has helped

and continues to help many find comfort in the representation.

Serena Williams, a professional tennis player, is one of many athletes who have battled

with a variety of mental illnesses, and more are sharing their journey with the public. Her career

has consisted of many wins at each of the Grand Slams and medals from many years at the

Olympics. (Britannica) She played the Australian Open while pregnant and has since talked

about her birth story, which came with many unexpected complications; physically and mentally.

According to the CDC, the Center of Disease Control, one in nine women will experience
postpartum depression. In an article about Williams, doctor and researcher Tamer L. Gur quotes,

"Women are so afraid of being anything less than a perfect mother that they ignore that they have

lost their appetite, have trouble sleeping, spend hours worrying, are unable to enjoy anything,

have trouble concentrating, and even may feel like life is not worth living," Dr. Gur continues.

"More important than the label of 'depression' is whether women are able to identify that

something is wrong and seek the support—and in some cases the treatment—they need and

deserve." (Self Magazine) The stigma attached to mental illness can be harmful for new moms

through staying silent, if they are reluctant to recognize a mental health issue and have the fear of

being seen as a bad mother. Williams has shared her personal story on social media regarding her

postpartum emotions, and the public response was not what she expected. There was a flood of

discussion online from women, mainly African American, who have faced variations of

postpartum depression and difficulties after birth. Serena has connected sports and society

through an impressive career and using her subsequent platform to speak of her battle with

postpartum depression and represent women with similar stories.

Another athlete role model is Imani Boyette, a WNBA star, is working towards breaking

the taboo of mental illnesses. Unalike Serena williams, Boyette faced her depression and trauma

before her professional career. Her focuses in her childhood were art, poetry and her grades,

rather than basketball. Later in her teen years, she grew to she sport but carried her depression

with her, which some say set the stage for her recovery and triumphs.​ ​(Chicago Tribune)​ A
​ n

article from the Chicago Tribune quotes Imani saying, "but in my mind, I don't want these people

to think I'm crazy, like I can't tell them what's really wrong." She had to endure sexual abuse

from ages 8 through 12 and lived in household till college. However, with her platform, she
came to share words of wisdom and support for people with similar stories. She said, ​"​ To be

here now and see the other side, and remember what it felt like when I was in it [depression], I

just want to grab people and say, 'Please just hold on!'" (CT) Imani has also been involved with a

camp located in Portland, Oregon called Sparks of Hope. As a non-profit, the camp helps child

survivors of abuse for young women and they awarded Boyette one of it's advocacy awards for

her her work as a spokeswoman and counselor. She now looks at the trauma of the past and says,

"If I don't talk about it, don't that make me as bad as him?... "In my entire teenage life, all of that

(that happened) was because I couldn't talk. I couldn't express what was inside of me. I was silent

for too long to shut up now." Imani has spoken her truth in an effort to destigmatize the subject

of mental health and recovery, providing another role model for society.

Sports psychologists are a resource that many people have access to at the college level to

help athletes balance their education and the stress of the athletic competition, and it is proven to

be helpful. However, professional athletes above the college level rarely speak of having a sports

psychologist, or rather a regular psychologist for themselves. The stigma in our society has kept

people, athletes and non-athletes alike, from reaching for professional help. That stigma is not

helpful for anyone, one should be able to get help without fear of judgement of incompetence.

The career of sports psychology began in the early 1920s in a German lab to measure physical

ability and aptitude in sports, which then evolved to the study of factors that affect athletic

performance and the mental requirements of sports competition. Today, the career of sports

psychology helps athletes in many aspects by using mental strategies to improve performance;

conquer obstacles to achieve their goals, cope with the pressures of competition from parents,

coaches and themselves and aid in the recovery from injuries (American Psychology
Association). The reasons above sound seemingly normal and experiences that reflect the lives of

non-athletes, which proves that all people in our society should be more encouraged to find

support when they need it. Society should normalize seeking support in regard to any aspect of

life. Regardless, there is still a stigma about seeking a therapist, but athletes could help change

that, though the already existing structure of sports psychology.

In conclusion, Serena Williams and Imani Boyette have stories that can connect with

many, and in turn helped erase the stigma of mental health issues. It is important for the public to

note that famous athletes/professionals can suffer from the same mental health struggles or

trauma as the rest of society. Williams and Boyette are role models as exceptional athletes and

strong women for sharing their stories, but still received an abundance of hate from people

unaccepting of their transparency.