You may know Michael Phelps as the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. You may know him from the cover of a cereal box or the face of an Under Armour commercial. You may know him as a loving husband or a new father. What you probably don’t know, however, is that Phelps was depressed and suicidal at the height of his career.
Last week, Michael Phelps attended the Kennedy Forum mental health conference in Chicago, Illinois. At the summit, he was interviewed by political commentator David Axelrod about his history of struggle with anxiety and depression. What is interesting to note in Phelps’ case is that the deterioration of his mental health aligns perfectly with the climax of his athletic career. In fact, he describes so-called “explosions” occurring in conjunction with his 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic wins.
Phelps attributes the destruction of his mental state to his constant need to push himself. As a person who broke a world record at the age of 15, life became a constant game of one-upmanship. After placing such intense pressure on himself, Phelps would fall into a state of deep depression after his most major accomplishments.
Following the 2012 Olympics, Michael Phelps experienced what he refers to as his “hardest fall.” During this time, he would spend days sitting alone in bed. Unable to eat and sleep, Phelps was losing his passion for his sport and eventually his will to live.
Courtesy: Twitter
The bottom line is that depression has no limits. It seeks victims of all races, ages and sexes, regardless of how many Olympic gold medals they may have. Michael Phelps serves as living proof that mental health needs to be looked after with equal, if not greater, care than physical health. There is no value in being physically strong and athletic if you are mentally incapable of handling the associated stress.
In his darkest hour, Phelps’ life was saved by the realization that he needed serious help. During his interview with Axelrod, he opened up about his experiences receiving so much attention and eventually treatment for his depression. He spoke about the stigma surrounding mental illness and the damage it does to those suffering from it. It is for that reason that Michael Phelps has come forward with his story. He wants people to talk about mental health, in the hopes that it will inspire others to seek help.
Courtesy: Us Magazine
If you or anyone you know is suffering from mental illness, here are some resources you can use:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663