08/11/2021
This is a heartfelt share for me and H.O.M.S.
Mental Health is something more than important. If you need help...please don't hesitate to seek it. Can be the best thing you ever did for you and/or your children and loved ones. ❤❤ -Ms. Kirra, MS CMHC
I am here to help all I can...
www.heartsonmysleeve.net
I was getting ready for work when NBC News alerted the public of breaking news from Tokyo, Simone Biles would not be competing in the women's Olympic team final.
Unprecedented for women's gymnastic let alone one of the biggest stars of not only the American team, but the Tokyo Olympics in general.
"She must be injured," and "We all know how strong Simone is, this must be really bad," were just a few of the statements from stunned commentators.
Hours later we learned this wasn't a hidden physical injury but instead a mental health struggle. An illness that many times is kept hidden, but today, thanks to Simone, a powerful global statement was made.
Your mental health is as every bit as important as your physical health.
I will admit, when the updated news first broke, my immediate gut reaction was, "Wow. You signed up for this. You trained for this. You let down the rest of your team because of a mental breakdown." It made no sense.
Until it did.
My immediate reaction is what society has ingrained into us. It is the reason why people suffer in silence. It is the reason we don't talk about therapy and medicine for mental illness. It is why some people make other serious life choices to cope with the overload, never addressing the root issue and truly caring for their wellbeing. It is why so many people are afraid to ask for help. It is why so many people choose to validate other's feelings and approval before validating their own.
If the news broke today that Simone had physically injured herself and couldn't go on, we would have all rallied behind her and supported her emotionally, because can you imagine how much she gave up today when making that decision? But because it was for her own mental wellbeing - well, we are so quick to attack, adding more stress instead of caring for one's emotional state.
What Simone did today was incredibly admirable and brave.
She said, "Wait. My mental health is important and I can't go on."
She showed what it means to honor one's whole self.
I stand behind Simone, and I thank her for showing us that everyone is human, and complex, and that our own health and wellbeing is worth more than the expectation of others. And, it sure as heck is worth more than any gold medal placed around one's neck.
