History shows us that movements often need a pivotal moment. For civil rights, that moment came when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus in 1955. For the mental health of athletes, the moment came when Simone Biles stepped back from the Tokyo Olympics.
Biles’ message upon her withdrawal—that athletes must prioritize their mental health as well as their physical health before risking “what the world wants us to do”—has echoed strongly as we approach another Olympic Games.
This message resonated deeply with Ilona Maher, a U.S. Rugby team member, who shares it with her 1.1 million TikTok followers.
“Here’s the best gymnast in the world who’s so amazing at what she does,” Maher said at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Summit. “And she’s having bad days. People want to understand why. For me, it was like showing how human we are.”
Biles’ withdrawal followed a sexual assault scandal that led to a life sentence for USA Gymnastics’ former team doctor and hundreds of lawsuits against USA Gymnastics and the USOPC. This spurred significant changes in how the mental health of USOPC athletes is treated.
Since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the number of licensed psychologists on the USOPC staff has increased from six to 15. The organization also consolidated its mental health and mental performance departments into a “psychological services team” with a network of over 300 providers. Athletes now undergo mental health screenings up to three times a year, flagging issues from sleep and eating disorders to body-image concerns and suicidal ideation.
For the Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee is also addressing mental health concerns. According to The Guardian, the IOC will distribute 2,000 Calm app licenses, provide a mental fitness helpline, create a “mental decompression zone” during the Games, and use AI to “identify and suppress” abusive social media posts, aiming to protect athletes.
Dr. Jess Bartley, the USOPC’s senior director of psychological services, declined to comment on the impact of any specific athlete but acknowledged the influence of high-profile figures in destigmatizing mental health discussions.
“I think having some of those in the spotlight speak up is really valuable,” she said.
This increased focus was evident at the summit, where athletes openly discussed their mental health struggles, stemming from body image, injuries, and isolation.
One compelling story came from Jaleen Roberts, a two-time Paralympic silver medalist born with cerebral palsy. The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics led her into a deep depression and suicidal thoughts. With her mother’s support, she sought help, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and now aims to be a role model for others.
“We have to be these superheroes that deal with everything on our own,” she said. “And we can’t just have a bad day because we’re doing this incredible thing. That’s not true.”
Tara Davis-Woodhall, a long jump champion and social media influencer, shared a similar journey. Struggling with isolation and a fractured vertebrae during her first year at the University of Texas, she found herself in a dark place. Through therapy and her own efforts, she recovered and now uses her platforms to promote mental health awareness.
Olympic athletes face unique pressures that often require mental health care. Ryan Crouser, a two-time gold medalist in the shot put, described the “post-Olympic blues” that can follow a major event. After the peak of winning, the subsequent dopamine withdrawal can lead to feelings of depression.
The USOPC’s psychological services team monitors athletes’ mental health through tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ 9), which flags issues from sleep disturbances to suicidal thoughts. The team responds quickly to high-risk flags, offering immediate support and follow-ups.
More than half of the athletes flagged for sleep issues, followed by body image concerns, anxiety, and depression. Substance abuse issues were less common.
Athletes’ mental health is increasingly discussed, but stigma remains. Dr. Bartley noted that the timing of these initiatives was crucial as societal attitudes toward mental health have become more open.
Simone Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental health was a turning point. Her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics initially faced mixed reactions, but her return to competition and continued success helped shift the narrative. Biles’ willingness to be “open, honest, and vulnerable” has made a significant impact on the movement for athletes’ mental health.
For the sake of the movement, Biles’ openness may be enough to continue driving positive change.
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