Lindsey Vonn speaks about mental health ahead of World Mental Health Day
The skiing legend opens up on mental health and calls for more support for athletes facing the same issues today.
Laureus Academy member Lindsey Vonn has spoken about the mental health battle that she fought even at the height of a storied career. The former Olympic and world champion skier welcomed the increased openness to discuss such issues in recent years but reflected on the wall of silence that existed when she competed.
“The mental health side of sports is one that we’re now becoming a lot more open about talking about,” Vonn told Laureus’ Spirit of Sport show, ahead of World Mental Health Day.
“Michael Phelps and I have been talking about it for many years. A lot of people saw it as a weakness.
“I’ve faced mental health issues since I was 18, dealing with depression and isolation. It’s a funny thing to be surrounded by people and yet completely alone.
"I would win races and then go back to an empty hotel room and you’re far away from your family and friends. I mean, you have your teammates but you’re also competing with them, so to some degree it’s really hard to lean on people that you compete against. Success is not an easy road for many reasons, and mental health is definitely one of them.”
“The mental health side of sports is one that we’re now becoming a lot more open about talking about,” Vonn told Laureus’ Spirit of Sport show, ahead of World Mental Health Day.
“Michael Phelps and I have been talking about it for many years. A lot of people saw it as a weakness.
“I’ve faced mental health issues since I was 18, dealing with depression and isolation. It’s a funny thing to be surrounded by people and yet completely alone.
"I would win races and then go back to an empty hotel room and you’re far away from your family and friends. I mean, you have your teammates but you’re also competing with them, so to some degree it’s really hard to lean on people that you compete against. Success is not an easy road for many reasons, and mental health is definitely one of them.”
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There has been a sea-change in recent years, with prominent athletes such as Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka speaking out about the personal cost of pursuing sporting greatness.
"I’m happy that we’re talking about it, because it is a challenge and I hope that athletes get more resources to really address certain issues that they [are experiencing], to make sure they can move forward, not just in sports but in life, in a healthy way,” added Vonn, a former winner of the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.
“I think that’s the most important thing. We can deal with a lot of challenges but sports is supposed to be helpful, not hurtful.”
As part of its support of 300 programmes in over 40 countries, Laureus Sport for Good has been heavily involved in the effort to improve mental health in young people throughout the world. The Lindsey Vonn Foundation is also committed to building confidence and fostering mental wellbeing among girls from underserved communities.
"I’m happy that we’re talking about it, because it is a challenge and I hope that athletes get more resources to really address certain issues that they [are experiencing], to make sure they can move forward, not just in sports but in life, in a healthy way,” added Vonn, a former winner of the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.
“I think that’s the most important thing. We can deal with a lot of challenges but sports is supposed to be helpful, not hurtful.”
As part of its support of 300 programmes in over 40 countries, Laureus Sport for Good has been heavily involved in the effort to improve mental health in young people throughout the world. The Lindsey Vonn Foundation is also committed to building confidence and fostering mental wellbeing among girls from underserved communities.
