The Essay Explores The Mental Health And Toughness In Elite Athletes.

According to Junge, & Feddermann-Demont (2016), the psychological aspects of elite athlete health and performance have received increased attention over the past two decades, particularly in regard to the relationship between the mental health of elite athletes and the concept of mental toughness. Therefore, arguing that there is a clear contradiction between encouraging players to highlight mental health, while at the same time always portraying mental toughness.

Critically evaluate the statement that mental health and mental toughness are contradictory concepts in the world of elite sport, by using contemporary literature and examples with a view to inform professional practice.

In your critical reflection you need to refer to:

(a) Examples of professional athletes/sports

(b) The changing views on mental health, particularly work being done on the stigma of mental health

(c) How sports have reacted to the growing numbers of athletes being identified with mental health illness.

The stigma of mental illness

Stigma in mental health is linked to weakness and is primarily the antithesis of what athletes want other people to see. It is difficult for an athlete who experiences mental issues to receive adequate treatment as an athlete who has suffered an injury that is physical where there is a personnel of experts including health practitioners and trainers who make sure that the athlete has a speedy recovery (Gulliver, Griffiths, Mackinnon, Batterham and Stanimirovic 2015, pp.255-261).

Mental sickness in sports is usually overlooked, and an athlete may feel that he or she is lonely and abandoned not being sure where to go. In addition, many people perceive that mental health problems in athletes are not possible as they are often discerned to be highly physically healthy human beings. The top athletes have a large fan base which gives a perception that they cannot have such issues. They do not look for assistance from the mental health centers in order to disconnect themselves from stigma and avoid mental sickness label and the dangers that it comes with this. Mental ailment is still a problem in the community and might be emphasized more in athletes who may fear losing their role model status. I recommend that the athletes be treated with respected and treated as fellow human beings.

The stigma of mental illness

There is a problem of stigmatization on behalf of the medical experts when providing medication to the athletes. The problems include: despite the known favorable impacts of mental sickness exercise, athletes are not often trusted though perhaps at a lower prevalence than the whole society (Sebbens, Hassmén, Crisp and Wensley 2016, p.911).  In addition, I noted that athletes might be vulnerable to the wrong diagnosis of mental sickness than other individuals especially with issues that are associated with training athletes and might be seen from a more slight psychological perspective rather than the wider bio-psychological plan.

Furthermore, I realized the sameness between depression as a mental sickness and overstraining as an effect of ongoing extreme athletic training are applauded. The American Psychiatric Association has identified the disadvantages of the perception that athletes must be mentally healthy in order to enhance awareness and eliminate stigma enclosing the athlete’s mental health (Holt, 2016). They noted that mental sickness is much likely as common in athletes like in the whole community. They added that it is not a sign of weakness and must be treated accordingly like a physical injury. In addition, they said that getting assistance will most likely enhance a person’s self-confidence and not damage it.

 Vulnerability of athletes to mental health problems

There are many motives as to why athletes might be susceptible to developing mental health issues. They have stress and pressures of competing that may leave them with the urge to create feelings of anxiety or depression. Also, there are hidden head injuries which might lead to mental health issues like depression. Moreover, other physical injuries, problems with colleagues or coaches, maturity, bad performances, and retirement might lead the athletes to develop mental health issues. Athletes must not be pressured into covering the problems; instead, the gladiator barrier that they always have must be dropped, as it remains the significant barrier for seeking treatment (Gucciardi, Hanton and Fleming 2017, pp.307-311). There are several issues that need to be addressed such as the idea that looking for assistance of mental health is a sign of weakness both from the perspective of the general media and from the athletes personally.

Vulnerability of athletes to mental health problems

For instance, AFL star and Western Bulldogs key forward; a 21-year-old Tom Boyd was given an absence leave while going through medication for clinical depression. In 2017 many athletes encompassing Ian Thorpe who has been able to disclose about battling depression for some time. Also, Indigenous Rugby League star Greg Inglis who had to check himself in the mental health facility because of clinical depression. Mental illness such as depression caused Wallabies great, Dan Vickermanto die by committing suicide at 37 years in February. Many elite athletes have battled depression globally (Liddle, Deane and Vella 2017, pp.93-103). In addition, WWE champion Dwayne Jackson (The Rock) explained that he lied with depression for years that led to three acute depressive episodes. He also said that his depression could come back any moment.

The worlds most coveted Olympian who was a mental health advocate disclosed about his battle with depression after deciding to quit swimming in 2012 while agreeing to take the Medibio Board of directors’ appointment which help others who are diagnosed with depression, chronic stress and other mental health diseases. Phelps opened up and said that it was difficult for him to seek assistance. He had believed that it was a good choice for him to realize that it is okay not to be fine. Asking for help helped him to save and change his life. Research has indicated that there is a great deal that is not known about why there is the development of these mental illnesses in elite athletes. In addition, the sport has been seen as a positive and advantageous regarding self-esteem, stress and anxiety and other related issues.

Studies have indicated that the heightened stress elements like termination of the career, being dropped from a roster, or even the promotion stress as the captain of the team. All these factors can trigger depression. Dr. Walton still affirms that athletes are seen wholly as athletes in lieu of  ordinary people who can turn to fear around the development of depression and subsequently take long hence reaching a more crucial point before their willingness to acknowledge that they are suffering from depression seek assistance (Stanton, Reaburn and Happell 2015, pp.440-448 ). I encourage individuals to consider these athletes as human beings, and they should be helped in any way. It is necessary for the sports organizations to be aware of mental disorders and take measures needed to help them battle the diseases and also encourage to speak up.

Changing views on mental health

The stigma that is attached to the mental health issues of athletes is driven by the historical, social bias that exists within the sports organizations, individuals within the organization, and the athletes who respond to these external sources. The athletes are seen as healthy individuals who are mentally tough. In addition, mental toughness is mostly identified as contradictory definitions in any elite performance world (Bauman, 2016). Also found out that if any athlete conflicts with mental health, they are regarded as brain dead or mentally tough, and therefore exclusion often comes up next.

Changing views on mental health

Moreover, in-house psychology givers will also be dealing with a different athlete currently compared to athletes in the last two decades in addition to the historical and social and sports stigma about mental health. The athletes today are faster, stronger and more athletic than before. However, there is also an increase in a number of more complicated and more intense mental problems beginning at younger ages and the young athletes who have few coping skills (Bhargava, Penn,  Nemzow, Buchanan and Jacob 2018, p.S151 ). A mental health problem can start long before a collegiate or professional career hence it is difficult for them to open up and share their problems.

The repetitive mistake that the sports organization continue to make in culturally addressing the developed discriminatory practices is that they often try to do too much at a particular time. The cultures that are established are prone to resist change (Rice et al. 2016, pp.1333-1353 ).  

There are good strategies that have been put in place in reads to changing cultures. The plans include increasing support and placement of many givers who are licensed. The key to change is known to at the organizational level. Placing providers who are competent, ethical, creative, have knowledge in sports culture, and interactive is essential for the athletes since it improves their quality of life (   Gucciardi, Hanton and Fleming 2017, pp.307-311 ). In addition, the industry needs education in regards to mental health at the ground level. This is important because the certified athletic trainers interact with athletes on a daily basis and they might be aware of what the athletes are going through in their lives.

Furthermore, educating the sports industry at a national level is also vital in the wellbeing of the athletes. The university and college athletic departments must address the issues concerning mental health (MacIntyre et al. 2017, p.1892). Understanding cognitive health gives a clear vision of the mental health issues that student-athletes present and also recommendations and guidelines for athletic departments to respond in the assistance of the athletic students.  Besides, creation and execution of a collaborative system that encompasses educating athletes, coaches, and parents at the beginner levels of sports and moves developmentally with the athlete throughout their care.

 How sports have reacted to the growing numbers of athletes with mental illness

Mental health is a challenge in the whole world. In addition, sports particularly elite entertainment provides a potential opportunity into the mental health issues of young individuals. Also, the openness and the knowledge of the staff might be the critical mitigating element in regards to the alleviation of cognitive health stigma in sports (Larkin, Levy,  Marchant and Martin, 2017 ). Many sports organizations have overlooked hence there are many increasing cases of mental illness in sports. There is stigma today especially with men since they are regarded as strong individuals in society and that they should not seek assistance.

 A lot of sports organizations are unable to find treatment for athletes who are suffering from mental diseases. They are focused on perfectionism since they want to be at the top in the competing world ( Croy,  Geide, Paulus, Weidner and Olausson 2016, pp.491-496   ). It is impossible for human beings to be perfect which can lead to overtraining and inability to transfer practice. The sports organizations are trying to treat their athletes to promote health and wellbeing (Breslin, Shannon, Haughey and Leavey, 2016). The organization must also create awareness concerning mental health issues in athletes in order to prevent more victims. This has made me to understand the reasons why the athletes have a hard time airing their grievances that endanger their lives.

In conclusion, mental health stigma is associated with weakness, and it is difficult for an athlete who suffers from these mental issues to seek medical assistance since they are perceived to be physically and mentally healthy. It is important for the organizations to make sure that the athletes are treated well in regards to mental illness. There are many motives as to why athletes might be vulnerable to developing cognitive health issues. The kind of stress and pressures of competing daily or weekly might lead the athletes to suffer from these mental disorders.

References

Bauman, N.J., 2016. The stigma of mental health in athletes: are mental toughness and mental health seen as contradictory in elite sport?.

Bhargava, M., Penn, J., Nemzow, S., Buchanan, A. and Jacob, T., 2018. 1.48 The Impact of a Resident-Lead School-Based Psychoeducation Program on the Awareness of Mental Health and Mindfulness in Middle Schoolers. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(10), p.S151.

Breslin, G., Shannon, S., Haughey, T. and Leavey, G., 2016. A review of mental health and wellbeing awareness programmes in sport.

Croy, I., Geide, H., Paulus, M., Weidner, K. and Olausson, H., 2016. Affective touch awareness in mental health and disease relates to autistic traits–An explorative neurophysiological investigation. Psychiatry research, 245, pp.491-496.

Gucciardi, D.F., Hanton, S. and Fleming, S., 2017. Are mental toughness and mental health contradictory concepts in elite sport? A narrative review of theory and evidence. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(3), pp.307-311.

Gucciardi, D.F., Hanton, S. and Fleming, S., 2017. Are mental toughness and mental health contradictory concepts in elite sport? A narrative review of theory and evidence. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(3), pp.307-311.

Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K.M., Mackinnon, A., Batterham, P.J. and Stanimirovic, R., 2015. The mental health of Australian elite athletes. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 18(3), pp.255-261.

Holt, N.L. ed., 2016. Positive youth development through sport. Routledge.

Larkin, D., Levy, A.R., Marchant, D. and Martin, C.R., 2017. When winners need help: Mental health in elite sport. The Psychologist.

Liddle, S.K., Deane, F.P. and Vella, S.A., 2017. Addressing mental health through sport: a review of sporting organizations' websites. Early intervention in psychiatry, 11(2), pp.93-103.

MacIntyre, T.E., Jones, M., Brewer, B.W., Van Raalte, J., O'Shea, D. and McCarthy, P.J., 2017. Mental health challenges in elite sport: Balancing risk with Reward. Frontiers in psychology, 8, p.1892.

Rice, S.M., Purcell, R., De Silva, S., Mawren, D., McGorry, P.D. and Parker, A.G., 2016. The mental health of elite athletes: a narrative systematic review. Sports medicine, 46(9), pp.1333-1353.

Sebbens, J., Hassmén, P., Crisp, D. and Wensley, K., 2016. Mental health in sport (MHS): improving the early intervention knowledge and confidence of elite sport staff. Frontiers in psychology, 7, p.911.

Stanton, R., Reaburn, P. and Happell, B., 2015. Barriers to exercise prescription and participation in people with mental illness: the perspectives of nurses working in mental health. Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, 22(6), pp.440-448.