Naomi Osaka grew up keeping quiet but eventually, she realized that it's far more courageous to speak up about your personal struggles.
Osaka famously made headlines last year when she withdrew from the French Open to focus on her mental wellness. Taking a step further, Osaka is partnering up with Modern Health, a mental health platform, to continue to destigmatize mental illness—especially among younger generations and underrepresented populations.
Speaking to Baazar.com Osaka said:
"I hope by working together we can help others join the conversation and also offer clinically backed resources because too often people want the help of a professional and just don't know how to find it."
Turning the tlak towards her own journey, Osaka noted:
"Growing up, I kept quiet about my feelings and, in particular, about times when I felt anxious or just not myself. I do think even though mental health is a topic we are starting to be more open about, for some people, there is still a stigma attached."
She continued:
"After speaking up, my view on expressing the need for a break or space or help really changed. Speaking up and being really honest with everyone has allowed me such freedom and a sense of relief, and the outpouring from others about their own struggles made me feel less alone."
She is determined to keep this journey going embracing being part of the shifting tide regarding mental health in sports:
"So many people reached out to me privately and publicly, and it really was helpful for me to know that I wasn't alone, but also that I was able to help someone else. The mental health conversation in sports has really just started, but I am really optimistic about the direction it is moving in. I see more than ever that athletes are speaking up without shame or stigma, and rather than being looked at as weak, they are being regarded as human. This needs to become the standard rather than the exception."
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