'And I still rise': Takeaways from Simone Biles’ mental health journey

“I kicked off the day with a therapy session, which set a positive tone. I told my therapist I felt calm and prepared—and that’s exactly how it turned out," said Simone Biles at a press interaction recently. The US gymnast has had an incredible comeback story, winning two golds at Paris 2024, and crediting her performance as much to mental training as physical prowess. Back in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics, Simone, then already a four-time Olympic medallist, had helped her team reach the finals before prematurely withdrawing from the competition citing mental health issues.




High stakes
When the majority of focus is on an athlete’s physical fitness and skills, Simone’s statement brought focus to a less-talked about topic - athletes’ mental health. According to Jini K Gopinath, a clinical psychologist, for high-performance athletes the stakes are immense. “They're representing their country and often fulfilling a lifelong dream. This is where psychologists and coaches play a crucial role in minimising anxiety during critical periods and helping athletes maintain focus,” he explains.

Therapy is a consistent process
“It's important to understand that effective therapy is an ongoing process, not a quick fix,” shares Janki Rajapurkar, a sports psychologist. And when an athlete of Simone’s stature speaks about it, it also helps destigmatise conversations around the topic. “When people who matter talk about their mental health woes, it encourages others to address issues and seek help,” adds Janki Rajapurkar.


Prioritising mental wellbeing isn’t a sign of weakness

In 2021, when Simone withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics, many people, including media personality Piers Morgan and current Republican vice-president candidate in the US elections, JD Vance, criticised her for ‘letting down her country’ and ‘being weak’. But Janki points out, “Sometimes, you need to give your mind a break and then come back stronger. It’s like a rehab for your mind.” Jini adds, “It's necessary to step back and take a break when mental health is compromised. This self-awareness and willingness to prioritise mental well-being is a sign of strength, not weakness.”




2021-2024: Simone’s timeline
July 2021: Entered the competition as part of the US team

July 2021: Announced her withdrawal from most events at the competition citing mental health issues, including ‘twisties’, which result in a loss of spatial awareness during routines

August 2021: Competed in the balance beam final, winning a bronze medal
August 2023: Returned to competitive gymnastics after taking a break to focus on her mental health and family
August 2024: Led the U.S. women to the team gold, and two days later, she won a gold medal in Women's Artistic Individual All-Around, marking an incredible Olympics comeback story

In 2021, Biles had the phrase ‘And still I rise’ tattooed on her collarbone, paying tribute to Maya Angelou's iconic poem of the same name. The poem is a powerful testament to maintaining confidence and self-respect in the face of adversity and criticism.


Sportspersons who have been vocal about mental health woes:

Michael Phelps: Spoke about battling depression, anxiety, and about contemplating suicide

Glen Maxwell: Opted to take an indefinite mental and physical health break during this year’s IPL

Naomi Osaka: Withdrew from the 2021 French Open citing a battle with anxiety and depression

Lewis Hamilton: Spoke about his struggle to perform and seeking therapy

It's okay not to be okay and to seek help. There's usually light at the end of the tunnel-Naomi Osaka, who pulled out of the 2021 French Open citing a battle with anxiety and depression