The Other Side of Glory: Prioritising Mental Health for Asian Athletes
When we think of athletes, we think of people who thrive under extreme pressure, who push through pain and injuries, and who achieve the impossible against all odds. We are never tired of inspiring stories celebrating their grit and glory, resilience and relentlessness–to the point that we might have begun to take these stories for granted.
Athletes Shifting the Narrative
But in recent years, the narrative has begun to shift.
In 2020, American gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics to prioritise her mental well-being.
In 2023, British swimmer Adam Peaty stepped back from the British Championships, citing struggles with his mental health.
This shift is not just happening in the West. In Asia, Singapore’s first Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling shared in a VICE interview how the pressures of performance, social media scrutiny, and the weight of expectations took a toll on his mental state.
These stories have helped shed light on a reality we often overlook: behind the medals and the spotlight are human beings—no less vulnerable—despite their physical strength and accomplishments.
Why Athletes Can Also Struggle with Mental Health
A common myth is that athletes are less likely to experience mental health issues because physical activity improves mental well-being. Indeed, studies have shown that exercise can improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression.
But those studies actually focus on recreational athletes — not professionals. For those who depend on sports for a living, the picture they face is very different: relentless pressure, high stakes, and constant scrutiny. Some of the most common mental health stressors are:
Performance pressure – Athletes are often pushed to give 110% in competitions to bring pride to their team, school or nation, which can lead to anxiety, self-doubt and emotional burnout.
Injury and illness – Physical setbacks can disrupt routines, isolate athletes from teammates, and trigger anxiety or depression, especially if recovery is uncertain or prolonged.
Public scrutiny and online criticism – As public figures, athletes may feel compelled to maintain a flawless persona—making them especially sensitive to criticism and online backlash.
Power dynamics with coaches – The coach-athlete relationship can be a powerful source of motivation and growth, but it can also create pressure and emotional strain when the dynamic becomes overly authoritative or critical.
Balancing multiple responsibilities – This usually applies to student-athletes who need to juggle intense training with academic exams and deadlines. The multiple burdens they carry can leave little room for rest, often pushing their mental health to the sidelines.
Common Mental Health Concerns Among Athletes
The challenges athletes face can manifest in many ways:
Depression –Also known as major depressive disorder, or MDD. According to a Japanese study, professional soccer players in Japan reported higher rates of depressive symptoms than the general population.
Anxiety and performance-related stress – High-stakes competitions and constant pressure to succeed can trigger intense anxiety in athletes.
Eating disorders – Especially in sports where weight or physique is closely tied to performance.
Sleep disturbances, OCD, ADHD, and substance misuse — These conditions can be exacerbated by the stress and structure of competitive sports.
Burnout – Chronic emotional and physical exhaustion from prolonged stress.
Why It’s Especially Hard in Asia
In many Asian cultures, longstanding values around hierarchy and collectivism can make conversations about mental health especially difficult.
In South Korea, a tradition of “milltary-style”, punishment-oriented coaching fosters fear of failure and emotional shutdown.
In China, the cultural emphasis on “saving face” can make it challenging for athletes to speak openly about their mental health and reach out for help when they need it. One study found that 86% of elite athletes had never sought professional support. In addition, collectivist values often link athletic performance to the honour of the team, the nation, or the public—further amplifying the psychological pressure.
How to Support Mental Health for Athletes
While deep cultural change takes time, there are clear, actionable ways to better support athletes’ mental health:
Improve Mental Health Literacy
Education is key. Athletes, coaches, trainers, and families need to understand the signs of mental distress and how to respond appropriately.
Normalise Help-Seeking
Although in many Asian cultures seeking help can seem awkward, it is in fact a sign of strength, rather than a weakness.
Reframe Failure
The sports scene is generally characterised by the winning-dominant culture. But we should realise that failure is an inevitable and integral part of any athlete’s career. According to sports psychologist Denis Hauw, learning how to confront failure is an “essential objective” for top athletes. He suggests gradual and controlled re-exposure to negative emotions related to failure, helping athletes better process the event. This way, failure can actually turn it into “the driving force behind future success”.
Build a Supportive Team Culture
Feedback and coaching culture matter. A team culture built on emotional safety—through growth-focused communication, mindfulness, and regular mental check-ins—can and should be part of athletic development.
Protect Time to Rest
Athletes need downtime to reflect, recharge, and simply be human. That includes boundaries around training schedules, social media use, and public demands.
Final Thoughts
Although the title of this article is “Prioritising Mental Health for Asian Athletes”, destigmatising mental health isn’t just for athletes, nor for those from certain parts of the world. The most important takeaway should be this: it’s okay to ask for help, to rest, and to not always be okay. Whether on the field or in everyday life, taking care of our mental well-being deserves the same attention and respect as our physical health.
References
https://www.vice.com/en/article/joseph-schooling-tokyo-olympics-mental-health
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667239123000047
https://knowledge.essec.edu/en/society/athletes-mental-health-spotlight.html
https://accesson.kr/jsas/assets/pdf/55424/journal-9-1-31.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38813417/
https://www.olympics.com/athlete365/app/uploads/2021/06/BJSM-SMHRT-1-Athlete365-2020-102411.pdf