5 Black Athletes Who Have Stood Up for Mental Health

By Terrance Harris | Houston Defender | Word In Black This& post& was originally published on& Defender Network (WIB) – It was once taboo for athletes to discuss their struggles with mental health for fear that they might be banished. But in today’s more educated and understanding existence, it has become acceptable for even the biggest and strongest athletes to openly discuss their mental health and to even take time away when necessary. There have been several athletes in recent years to open up about their mental health issues, but here are five athletes who stand out. NAOMI OSAKA While tennis star Naomi Osaka isn’t the first athlete to deal with mental health issues, she certainly became the face of a new way we view these issues when it comes to our sports heroes. Osaka opened up about her issues with depression and anxiety when she withdrew from the French Open in 2021. Osaka taught us and all athletes, “It’s okay not to be okay.” SIMONE BILES A month after Naomi Osaka stunned the tennis world by opening up with her concerns about her mental health, renowned and decorated gymnast Simone Biles shocked gymnastics enthusiasts when she suddenly withdrew from...