Biles can inspire millions to open up on mental health

USA`s Simone Biles competes in the artistic gymnastics women`s balance beam final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Pic/AFP

The most celebrated gymnast in the world, Simone Biles may have done more for mental health than all the focus on the mind during the Coronavirus outbreak. The gymnast in Tokyo turned the spotlight on the topic after withdrawing from events and, most importantly, talking about her precarious state of mind during the ongoing Olympics.

Biles sparked debates everywhere, with many supporters claiming she made the right decision as gymnastics is a dangerous sport if you are not fully in there with your head. As the days went on, more statements from Biles about mental health, videos about the real reasons for her pulling out and a lot more came to the fore.

The bottomline though and some lessons we all can learn from Biles is not to be afraid of talking about mental health. She brought a taboo topic, especially in India, right out in the open on the biggest stage of all. The second one is to really listen when somebody states they have a mental health problem rather than brushing it off as a bad day, or just a phase that is soon going to pass. Even if one does not quite understand it, it is important not to be flippant or dismissive but see that the person gets some professional help, if and when needed.

Third, there is no shame in taking a step back, withdrawing from a task if there is a mental problem and taking stock before going on. We have been conditioned to carry the weight of others on our shoulders or work or behave within a framework of expectations. Sometimes not living up to those may not be a failure but a time for self-analysis, treatment and change if need be.

Biles the artistic gymnast has a gold medal for bringing mental health into the public consciousness.