When it comes to physical health – someone can have an ailment as awful as cancer…& then as “minor” as a pounding headache, & we accept: that person’s facing a challenge.
I bring up headaches, not bc they’re actually “minor”…for some they’re debilitating. I bring them up as an example bc, we, from the outside, can’t see ‘em. But if someone’s complaining of a migraine, we know – that can be awful.
I’ll tell you where this comment on this card came to me from. I’ve shared his current battle w his team before…but the situation is getting worse: it came from the dealings that Ben Simmons is having w his team, the 76’ers…& it came from some fan comments I’ve read that truly move the convo back/or show ppl don’t have an understanding as to what MH even is.
Ok, there’s long standing beef btwn Simmons & the team. Simmons preferred a trade to a new situation…& wasn’t showing to practice. The team began docking him pay.
Ben then began showing, interacting w teammates, & told the team execs & players, he’s not been right, mentally, & is working on it.
Here’s where the nuance comes in: the players have a union: the NBAPA. That union has a whole dept FOR MH assistance. Docs they can see. At the same time, the TEAMS have their own MH docs. Players have the right to see EITHER. And look no further than Robin Lehner, when you share too much, teams CAN hurt you – contracts, salary, etc. So…some athletes PREFER to go to the union docs – fearing (even despite HIPPA), the teams will know too much.
Here’s what upsets me: I’ve seen a lot of fan comments to the tune of – “Oh Ben’s got head issues alright. Can’t focus, can’t make a free throw. Can’t get his head straight.” And in those (yes sarcastic) comments they dismiss that THOSE very things, CAN be caused by MH challenges. Like Simone Biles – MH affects neural circuitry.
We have such a narrow litmus test: “what’s their label?”…to determine whether someone’s MH’s been impacted.
Guess what? Especially for athletes, but really for ANYONE, MH challenges can look like MANY diff things. Missed free throws, inability to concentrate at a mtg. We don’t need a diagnosis to be struggling.