When U-S gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from Olympic competition this week it was regarded by many as extremely brave because she confessed it was mental health reasons for her exit. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Rahn Bailey said it was extremely significant that such a high-profile athlete was honest about her condition.
“The construct of even being willing to state that one has a psychiatric illness, let alone state that it’s impairing and makes them not able to function optimally, that does seem to be changing or moving the needle on how we communicate here in America,” said Bailey.
Bailey said Olympic athletes are under immense pressure, especially because the pinnacle competition is only every four years. While many athletes withdraw from competition, Bailey said Biles’ candor about the reason for her exit is rare.
“They probably blamed it on a physical injury because they were aware that others would not accept that they pulled out due to a mental health, psych problem, or concern,” said Bailey.
Because mental illness is often stigmatized, Bailey said it often takes an athlete or celebrity to bring about awareness of the disease in order for others to seek assistance and acceptance of their illness.
“It’s when someone who a person thinks highly of, or respects, when they acknowledge it and it does bring more persons to accept this as real medical illness,” said Bailey.
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