Mental health carries a long-standing stigma in Indian society, especially when it comes to sports. Sportspersons are expected to have mental strength and endurance, and any infraction on their part is considered to be a personal failing. Take the example of Vinesh Phogat, who has spoken about the hypocrisy of Indian society for championing the mental health issues of international athletes like Simone Biles, while simultaneously turning a blind eye to the needs of Indian athletes. Despite this, sportspersons like Virat Kohli and Abhinav Bindra continue to speak up and shed light on this taboo topic. Mahika Bibiyan, a national-level cricket player and Sports Coordinator at the Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication said, “The pressure gets exponentially higher as the game progresses, especially when you aren’t able to deliver in the best way possible, in accordance with your expectations and capabilities.” Sportspersons face a unique set of challenges due to the nature of their jobs. In an increasingly competitive environment, they face scrutiny from both the public and the media. “Most sportspersons have a peak and a downfall. Even though you might be trying your best, some things like unconstructive criticism, disparaging opponents, bad moods, or even unsatisfactory practice sessions make one’s mental health become sporadic during the matches,” Mahika added. The challenges that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic – the isolation, the cancellation of events, and the threat of illness – can make matters worse. India’s Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra highlighted during a media interaction how difficult it was to remain motivated when considering the stress caused by the pandemic. While society is gradually recognising mental health as a ‘silent pandemic’ in the times of COVID-19, sportspeople have been especially vulnerable. An added problem is the common notion held by sportspersons that mental well-being equates to ‘toughness.’ For many, the term “psychology” conjures up images of mental illness or psychopathology. Many people – even athletes and coaches – still associate going to a psychologist with having a “problem,” and this can be difficult to overcome. This is where sports psychologists come in – they help athletes cope with the strains that the average person may not comprehend. Sharing his take on mental health in Indian sports, Sarthak Pawar, an exercise and sports psychologist with Reliance Foundation’s Young Champs Academy, based in Navi Mumbai, said, “Historically, mental health has been the most ignored facet of professional sports all over the globe, especially due to the stigma associated with mental health and psychology. The current times, however, do hint at change, with many top athletes going the extra mile to create awareness about various issues they have faced while performing.” Mahika, meanwhile, pointed out, “When it repetitively starts affecting your in-game performance and off-field mannerisms, mental health support becomes the best and the only resort to recover. It’s time we start putting physical and mental health in sports at the same level, to get the best results, and progress both personally and professionally."
10 Apr 2022
Prishita Das, Aarya Haresh Trivedi
