Men and Mental health
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s mental health struggles have been well documented in the media recently with depression and addiction being the main themes of his situation. For anyone who is struggling with mental health issues, one of the first steps is to acknowledge the situation that you are in but, in particular, for men and mental health – this is good for men to speak out.
Of course, it’s important for anyone, regardless of gender, to speak out about mental health struggles on all manner of situations including depression and addiction. But when someone in the public eye like Ronnie O’Sullivan speaks out, a highly successful and well-known snooker player, his experiences with mental health issues can have a really positive impact in several ways. The fact that O’Sullivan is in the world of sport is also a significant factor in projecting men and mental health to the fore.
Reducing the Stigma of mental health
First of all, reducing the stigma – High-profile individuals discussing their mental health challenges helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues. When public figures like Ronnie O’Sullivan share their experiences, it sends a powerful message that it’s okay to talk about mental health openly and most of all there is no shame. Sport can often be seen as a macho environment for men in particular so someone in the position of leading player and former world champion coming out with their personal feelings in this way can only be a good thing for the public to see.
Inspiring others
Secondly, bringing these issues into focus can have the knock on effect of encouraging others to seek help. By candidly sharing his own struggles, O’Sullivan may inspire other men and women who are facing similar mental health challenges to seek help. Knowing that someone in the public eye that they admire, has faced and overcome mental health issues or are on that journey, can provide hope and encouragement. Just seeing the profound effects that the help they have received has had ,could be the trigger or the push that someone needs to seek help themselves.
Raises Awareness of men and mental health
By going public, O’Sullivan’s openness contributes to the broader conversation about mental health particularly for men. It helps raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues in society as a whole and the importance of understanding and supporting those who are affected. It promotes the need for mental wellbeing, highlighting the importance of self-care, seeking professional help when needed and fostering a supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges. Again, this is especially significant amongst men who may not be traditionally or stereotypically the most forthcoming in talking about their feelings or expressing themselves either with partners, peers or family.
Historically, societal expectations around masculinity have discouraged men from expressing vulnerability or seeking help for mental health issues. The idea of keeping a ‘stiff upper lip’ or being told to ‘man up’ should not be the types of comments that anyone should have to listen to when they are in a dark place or just in need of some help. When well-known figures like Ronnie O’Sullivan share their struggles, it challenges these stereotypes and promotes a more inclusive and compassionate view of masculinity and encourages men to think about their mental health in a much more open and accessible way.
Overall, public figures using their platform to discuss mental health should be encouraged and championed in creating a more understanding and supportive society. It encourages people to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek help when necessary, fostering a culture of empathy and compassion. This can only be a good thing and is something that I encourage to anyone that thinks that they need to address their mental health situation.
If this is something that you or someone that you know needs to face up to or just start the process of talking and you’re not sure where to start, contact me for help and assistance and let’s change things.
