Mental Health and Sport

Mental Health and Sport - Overview

• Course: KINE 1000

• Instructor: Tammy George, Ph.D.

• Date: Week of February 10th, 2025

Aims of the Lecture

• Define and unpack:

  • Mental health

  • Mental illness

• Explore intersections with course concepts:

  • Social construction

  • Power

  • Intersectionality

  • Neoliberalism

• Engage with:

  • Connection of mental health and sport

• Understand mental health through various lenses:

  • Critical Disability Studies

  • Mad Studies

• Familiarize with the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport and available resources

Reflection Questions

• How do we understand mental health and mental illness currently?

• Reflect on personal relationship with mental health knowledge.

• Examine power and inequities in mental health.

• Identify sources of expertise on mental health.

• Discuss language used in sports regarding mental health.

Case Studies in Mental Health and Sport

Simone Biles

• Withdrew from initial 2020 Tokyo Olympics competition due to mental health concerns.

• Impact of her decision on public perception.

• Related videos and articles for reference.

Michael Phelps

• Opened up about experiencing severe depression.

• Emphasized importance of seeking help and support.

Larry Sanders

• Advocated for respect towards mental health in sports.

• Highlighted the contrast in perceptions between physical injuries and mental health issues.

WHO Perspective on Mental Health (2022)

• Definition: State of mental well-being allowing coping with life stresses and contributing to society.

• Mental health is integral to health and well-being and a basic human right.

• Exists on a continuum, experienced variably and may include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities.

Characteristics of Good Mental Health

• Six factors commonly recognized across mental health organizations:

  • Strong relationships

  • Connection to others

  • Good sense of self

  • Effective stress coping

  • Learning and working well

• Freud’s quote: "Love and work, work and love… that’s all there is."

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness (Western Perspective)

• Mental illness defined as disturbances affecting daily functioning.

• Not interchangeable with mental health; one can have poor mental health without mental illness and vice versa.

Prevalence and Impact of Mental Health Issues

• 50% of Canadians will experience mental illness by age 40.

• Mental illness impacts all demographics but systemic inequalities worsen conditions.

• 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental health issues annually.

Michel Foucault's Influence

• Explored societal notions around madness and the construction of knowledge related to mental health.

• Questioned how power affects perceptions of mental health over time.

DSM V Overview

• Handbook for diagnosing mental disorders used widely by health care professionals.

• Standardization of classifications established post-World War II.

DSM Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Standardization of diagnoses and treatments.

• Guidance for research and treatment protocols.

Disadvantages

• Oversimplification of human behavior.

• Risks of misdiagnosis and stigma through labeling.

Cultural Context of DSM

• Changes in the DSM reflect evolving societal norms (e.g., homosexuality).

• Understanding societal shifts regarding mental health and identity.

Gender Dysphoria (DSM 5)

• Outdated classification of Gender Identity Disorder replaced with gender dysphoria.

• Disabled individuals may experience distress when their assigned and experienced genders don’t align.

Factors Impacting Mental Health

• Many factors such as:

  • Poverty and economic challenges

  • Relationship issues

  • Environment and family dynamics

Problematic Norms of Disability

• Disability Studies focuses not just on disabled individuals but on societal perceptions and implications.

• Constructs of normalcy can lead to oppression and marginalization of disabled people.

Disability Studies Overview

• Examines interplay of disability with race, class, gender, and more.

• Explores narratives of ability and its societal implications.

Implications of Neoliberalism on Mental Health

• Sports culture promotes individual responsibility for health.

• Emphasis on personal performance over structural factors.

Pathologization of Poverty

• Societal stigma surrounding financial assistance.

• Neoliberalism reinforces blame on individuals for economic struggles.

Impoverished Olympians

• Examples of athletes facing financial challenges despite competitive successes.

Madness Studies

• Seeks to unravel conventional truths about mental health.

• Challenges the construction of mental illness as a purely individual failing.

Cultural Healing Approach

• Indigenous views on mental health emphasize relational connections and cultural contexts.

• Importance of addressing intergenerational trauma.

Mental Health Resources

• National hotlines and online support available, including:

  • Kids Help Phone

  • Crisis Services Canada

  • Better Help

  • The LifeLine App

  • Togetherall (peer support community)