The Canadian Press

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Celebrities not the only ones suffering from mental illness

Aug 4, 2021 | 4:18 AM

KAMLOOPS — MENTAL HEALTH is suddenly popular, at least in the sense that everybody’s talking about it. Yesterday, American superstar gymnast Simone Biles won a bronze medal on the balance beam at the COVID Games. Normally, it would have been a crushing disappointment but this time it was considered an achievement.

That’s because Biles withdrew from most of the gymnastics events a week earlier, citing mental health issues.

Two months ago, Japanese tennis phenom Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open due to her own mental health challenges arising from her shyness.

Some reaction painted both of them as spoiled whiners unable to take a little pressure. ‘Simone Biles is no hero; she is a quitter’ was how a Washington Times columnist put it. For the most part, though, they were celebrated in the media and by their fellow competitors as heroes for speaking up.

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‘Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka signify new era of prioritizing mental health,’ said a headline in Sports Illustrated.

All this focus is welcome news, but a little infuriating at the same time. The stigma of mental illness has persisted way too long. Way before sports and show business celebrities began talking about it.

One in three Canadians suffer from some form of mental illness during their lifetimes and it’s getting worse. It comes in many forms — depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, personality disorders. They may be brought on by traumatic events or genetics; some pass, others never do. Too many of those with severe mental health issues kill themselves just to stop the pain.

Their adversity and their courage, by and large, go unnoticed. Support and treatment remain very much a work in progress.

So, yes, kudos to the famous people for talking about their personal battles, but what will happen when the spotlight fades from Biles and Osaka, as it has with so many other celebrities who struggle? And I wonder whether we’ve really come very far.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.