ATHLETICS
Simone Biles
Shining the Spotlight on Self-Care M A RYA NNE LATA I F
When U.S. gymnast Simone Biles chose her personal well-being over a chance to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, she sent a message to the world about the importance of self-care and emotional health. She also shined a global spotlight on the mental health crisis among young adults that we are facing in the United States today.
Biles’ candid admission of stress took tremendous emotional courage. Her actions forced the subject of mental health to the forefront of conversation, illustrated the importance of setting boundaries, and served as an example not only for other athletes, but for all young people facing pivotal moments in their lives.
In 2020, the American Psychological Association reported that young adults ages 18 to 23, who are contemporaries of Biles, suffer from more anxiety and pressure than any other generation. 6.1 out of 10 young adults have experienced significant levels of stress as compared to 5.6 for millennials (ages 24-41), 5.2 for Gen X (ages 42-55), 4.0 for boomers (56-74) and 3.3 for older adults (75+).
Biles’ decision to put her own needs first is part of a larger cultural shift around openly discussing self-care. In recent months, multiple high-profile athletes have been outspoken about prioritizing their mental health , including tennis star Naomi Osaka, sprinter Noah Lyle, and weightlifter Kate Nye. And the examples of individuals speaking up about their mental health struggles go well beyond just athletes.
In fact, 91% of Gen Z adults say they have felt physical or emotional symptoms, such as depression or anxiety, associated with stress. Over time, the prolonged stress can contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
90
RELEVANCE REPORT 2021-22
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has been brought to the forefront our national conversation. Over the past year, a record number of workers left their jobs, often citing mental health as one of the key factors. According to a survey published
