30/09/2024
一個常見的錯誤信念 - 「強大的人等於沒有弱點或不能感到軟弱」。
西蒙拜爾斯被廣泛認為是有史以來最偉大的體操運動員之一，她贏得了11枚奧運獎牌和30枚世界錦標賽獎牌。作為最優秀的選手，當每個人都期望她在 2020 年奧運會上獲勝時，她卻面臨著心理健康問題*，這對她的人身安全構成了巨大風險，最後她退出了比賽。 *（她精神健康問題的成因 - 複雜的成長經歷（母親有吸毒問題，社會服務機構不得不將她帶走，留在收容所，最終被祖父母領養）；曾經遭受體操團隊醫的性侵犯；一定要保持最好而承受的巨大壓力；因新冠疫情而在 2020 年奧運會期間的長期社交隔離。）
儘管當時有批評者攻擊她是膽小鬼或半途而廢，但她並沒有懷疑自己優先照顧精神健康的決定。當她恢復健康並最終在 2024 年奧運會上贏得 3 枚金牌時，她證明了自己是對的。她是如何再次崛起的呢？她承認她自己的脆弱並開始接受治療。她像新人一樣重新開始訓練，耐心地慢慢恢復了技能和信心。她花時間與家人和朋友在一起，他們的支持給了她力量。
對我來說，西蒙拜爾斯是一位真正的英雄。她很堅強，因為當她感到軟弱時，她有勇氣承認並尋求幫助。她很偉大，不僅因為她取得了許多成就，而且她還嘗試透過倡導精神健康來幫助他人。她的退一步是推廣精神健康向前邁出的一步，表明要有效應對和克服精神健康的鬥爭，我們必須先要開始跟別人談及自己的問題。
不要忘記：
- 堅強不是你不能感到軟弱。相反，堅強是有勇氣承認自己的軟弱，並尋求幫助。
- 我們都只不過是人，人能承受的實在有限。
- 不要羞於談論你的掙扎。
- 精神健康很重要！
A common false belief - ‘being great means one has no weakness or cannot feel weak.’
Simone Biles is widely considered to be one of the greatest gymnasts of all times. She has won 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals. Being the best, and when everyone expected her to win at 2020 Olympics, she had mental health struggles* that posed great risk for her physical safety. She withdrew from the competition. (Causes of her mental health issues - complicated upbringing (mother with drug problems that social services had to take her away, stayed in shelter and eventually adopted by her grandparents); victim of sexual abuse by the gymnastics team doctor; the tremendous amount of pressure to be the best; social isolation during 2020 Olympics due to COVID.)
While there were critics attacked her as a coward or quitter at that time, she didn’t doubt her decision to prioritize her mental health. She proved she’s right as she got back into better health and eventually won 3 gold medals at 2024 Olympics. How did she manage to rise again? She admitted she felt depressed and started therapy. She went back to training as if she was a new starter, slowly regained her skills and confidence with patience. She spent time with her family and friends as their support gave her strength.
To me, Simone is a true hero. She is strong, because when she feels weak, she has the courage to admit it and seek help. She is great, not just because of her many accomplishments, but she also tries to help others by advocating about mental health. Her step back was a step forward for mental health conversations, showing that it needs to be talked about in order to effectively cope with, and overcome, their own mental health struggles.
Don’t forget:
- Being strong is to NOT you can’t feel weak. Instead, it’s having the courage to admit that and ask for help.
- We are all humans. There’s only so much that one can take.
- Don’t be ashamed to talk about your struggles.
- Mental health matters!
