Naomi Osaka is a professional tennis champion ranked No.2 in the world in women’s tennis. The news that Naomi had refused to give press interviews during the French Open in May of this year and had therefore opted out of the tournament came as a bombshell. Something in me understood her though. I felt that there was a possibility the young woman could be introverted and therefore not much of a talker. I was not surprised when later on she cited anxieties about speaking to the media.

….. am naturally introverted and do not court the spotlight. I always try to push myself to speak up for what I believe to be right, but that often comes at a cost of great anxiety. ………

-Naomi Osaka

Thankfully, Zuckerberg and his team must have known that there are such types of people who are the  “Can’t talk, WhatsApp only”. For Introverted people, speaking or maintaining lengthy conversations can sometimes be draining. So, allow them to text please! Unfortunately for Naomi, press conferences cannot be done via text!

Opinions about Naomi’s actions were so divided with some empathizing with her whereas others were so brutal to the point of calling her weak or a whining big baby. If she was that weak, how did she climb to rank number 2 in the world? Can you imagine the impact of such negative comments on her or others that might be grappling with mental health issues? Not only were the comments injurious but they ironically shed light on the fact that mental illness still is stigmatized and one would rather suffer in private instead of seeking help.

Myths around Mental Health issues

• When someone is experiencing mental challenges we tend to believe they are “mad”. We also expect this “mad” person to be locked up in a psychiatric hospital or on medication.
• A person who is mentally ill and speaks gibberish is violent therefore it is best to stay away from them.Not all mentally ill people are violent. Some you may not be able to tell they are ill unless you are told so.
• Mental illness is disease of the poor. The visible signs of illness are when we see someone roaming the streets in a bedraggled state, talking to themselves and collecting food from garbage bins. We want to believe people who seem to have their act together or are seemingly happy, successful and strong can never become mentally ill.
• Mental illness is for people who are mentally weak. Even the strongest of people can succumb to mental illness depending on the severity of precipitating factors as well as how they respond.
• While it is not as visible as physical illness where you may see a person in pain, mental illness might be laughed off or not taken seriously and yet it is debilitating.

The stigma around mental illness

• Mental illness is perceived as shameful therefore it can be difficult to discuss openly. Noami Osaka was very brave when she openly talked about her mental challenges.
• People who are mentally ill or those known to have recovered from the illness may be ostracized by society or discriminated against. This can be even more detrimental to one’s mental state.

What is mental illness?

Experts define mental illness as a wide range of mental health conditions or disorders that affect one’s mood, thinking and behavior. Examples include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, addictive behaviors etc.  We all experience mental health concerns from time to time but when these become on-going or chronic to the point that we are no longer able to fully function, then they become mental illness. Mental illness is systemic in that it does not only affect the sufferer, is also affects those around the person be it family, at work or school.

Factors that increase one’s risk of developing mental illness include, a history of mental illness in the blood relative, stressful life situations, traumatic experiences, drug and substance abuse, brain damage etc. Mental illness does not discriminate, it can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, religion or social status.

According to experts, mental illness can be managed or treated with a combination of medications and/or talk therapy.

Mental Health as a Sustainable Development Goal

Issues to do with mental health are slowly taking the center stage in such a way that they are now part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The World Health Organization (WHO) and world leaders are now appreciating that the promotion of mental health and well-being is a health priority. SDG number 3 specifically focuses on health and well-being and one of its targets aims being; “By 2030 reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.”

Oh  yes, you are normal!

Yes, you are normal, but may be going through challenges that are taxing to your mental health. Some of these challenges may incapacitate us to the point of failing to fully function on a daily basis. For example, life under the pandemic is really stressful and we are fighting to make an abnormal environment appear normal. In addition to that, we are losing our loved ones to the virus.This can take a toll on our mental wellbeing. Please get me right, I am focusing on situations where we have mental health concerns that from time to time may only require therapy. The more serious cases of illness are beyond my area of expertise.

Naomi was very brave in sharing her challenges. What she also did for fellow sports people and the world at large was to bring mental health issues into the public sphere as well as normalizing them. Come the Olympics in July, the gold winning American gymnast Simone Biles also withdrew from the competition in order to focus on her mental health. While her country was waiting to see her shine, she that felt her competing capabilities were somehow compromised .

My problem was why my body and mind weren’t in-sync. ….Was I overtired? ……..was physically ready, I was fine and then this happens and it’s something that was so out of my control.

– Simone Biles

Like Naomi she obviously got vilified for stepping down and must have been awarded all sorts of nasty and hurtful labels. Truth be told, mental challenges can even happen to the best of us!

I do hope people can relate and understand that it’s  O.K. not  to be O.K. and its O.K. to talk about it. There are people who can help, and there is usually light at the end of any tunnel.”

-Naomi Osaka

Self Care suggestions

• Stay calm:  Have you ever noticed that during exam times and especially in boarding schools, cases of mass hysteria are common? The pressure or stress of exams can wreak havoc to one’s mental health and if this goes unchecked it can catch on like a flu virus. The next thing we hear is that there is something rather sinister happening at the school. The key is to try as much as one can not to get sucked in by the panic inducing situation. Remain calm.
• Stay in the moment:  In order to remain calm, one has to stay in the moment. This can only be achieved by admitting or accepting the reality of what is happening, unpleasant as it might be. The next thing is to pay attention to and acknowledge the feelings one is experiencing.  It is important to know that whatever one is feeling, it is a normal human reaction to the presenting situation and there is nothing to be ashamed of.  Also, we are different beings and we react differently to given situations. However if one is able to name or describe their feelings, it gives them the power to control them. That, which we cannot name induces great fear in us.
• Steer clear of negativity: They say it is a beautiful world, but not always. Negative news and messages may come packaged as useful information especially on social media. The irony is that negative news can be so juicy or interesting such that they will have us hooked. They also have the potential to shape our attitudes and behaviour. By allowing toxicity as well as toxic people into our lives, we are opening ourselves up to unhealthy mental patterns.
• Suicidal thoughts: The feeling that life is not worth living and harbouring thoughts of ending one’s life is called suicidal ideation. Such feelings can occur to anyone of us. For some these are fleeting feelings, but when they become the main preoccupation then that is a red flag. The important thing to do is to reach out to someone close and share or seek  professional help.
• Widen your social circle:  A good starting point would be the company of like- minded people or groups where one can easily share and learn and grow. Such groups also serve as a normalizing reframe in that they may help one realize that they are not alone and their experiences are a normal part of life.
• Lifestyle changes:  One can never over emphasise the value of good nutrition, exercising, adequate sleep and rest. 
• Take time to care for others: We are all unique individuals, therefore we respond differently to stressful situations. Genuinely acknowledging and validating the other person’s feelings instead of being insensitive, critical or judgmental is a gift we can give to others. When we also take time to lift other people’s spirits we might actually be offering a desperately needed lifeline. Helping others can also leave us feeling good about ourselves.

You are always number One!

After some self care Simone Biles returned to the competition. Well known as a gold medallist, this time around she won a bronze medal, still she was proud of that feat.  

I wasn’t expecting to walk away with a medal. I was just doing this for me and what happens happens.

–  Simone Biles

Individuals like Naomi and Simone deserve our gratitude for being brave enough in re-igniting the mental health discourse.They also made us realize that mental health challenges are not a sign of weakness and therefore nothing to be ashamed of. Even the most powerful, influential and highly celebrated people do have their doldrums. That is the beauty of being human. It therefore remains important to always take care of number One, that is You. There also are times we have to be prepared to let go in order to come out winners. Simone Biles won the gold medal for taking care of her health.

At the end of the day , my mental and physical health is better than any medal.

Simone Biles

Always remember that you are irreplaceable!!