Recently, the golfing world got a shocking reminder of the importance of mental health with the tragic death of Grayson Murray. He had been very open about his battles with mental health and addiction and he appeared to be overcoming his challenges. Outwardly successful, a professional golfer with a recent win to his name, he'd just got engaged, had found religion and was living many people's idea of a dream life. But inside, something wasn't right and he must have been struggling enormously to take the course of action he did.
Tragically, suicide is common in many elite sports. A recent study of American college athletes showed a doubling in the suicide rate from 7.5% to 15% between 2002 and 2022. The average rate was 11.5%, with 77% of the athletes being male. I can't fathom those statistics, the numbers are so shocking.
Mental health issues were also common in my old profession of financial services. That sector also came with high pressure to perform, constant comparison against peers and the all too common view that "coping with this is what you get paid for".
Unfortunately, mental health issues still carry an unnecessary and unwelcome stigma that results in many people being too "afraid of the consequences" to ask for help. Pride can also get in the way, especially for men. Many don't know who to turn to, or where to find help in the first place. But here in the UK, there are options and you don't need to be afraid to ask. I'm sure my overseas readers must have similar resources.
Andy's Man Club: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/
Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Rethink Mental Illness: https://www.rethink.org/
The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
If you have private healthcare they will likely have a mental health service available.
Or go and see your GP
The above resources will all treat you with complete confidentiality and they can all be trusted to help. Mental health is just as important as physical health. You don't worry about seeing the doctor when you've got aches and pains and you shouldn't be concerned about asking for help when your issues are not physical. There should be no stigma attached to mental health.
With more successful people like Bob MacIntyre and Scotty Scheffler talking about the need for the right balance in life, I hope we can continue to destigmatise mental health issues and that more people look for help. It's ok not to be ok and it's also ok not to know why you feel that way! There are people out there who can help.
I know this might sound contrived, but when I was thinking about writing this post, "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers came on my playlist. I thought I'd leave you with the lyrics.
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill
Those of your needs that you won't let show
You just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
You just call on me brother
When you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
Call me
If you need a friend
(call me)
Call me (call me)
If you need a friend
(call me)
If you ever need a friend
(call me)
Call me
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