#54 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Thursday June 10)
Good morning!
NAOMI OSAKA—BRAVERY BEYOND TENNIS
Lost among the attacks on our democratic institutions perpetrated by our elected leaders, the decline of environmental conditions, and the emergence of our country from COVID amidst a continuing global pandemic is a story worth noting.
Naomi Osaka, the highest paid female athlete in the world, pulled out of the French Open. She says she has faced “long bouts of depression” since winning the U.S. Open three years ago. As the New York Times noted, she is hardly the first. Michael Phelps discussed his depression and anxiety. Aly Raisman has had to cope with PTSD. And there are others who have struggled with mental health issues, including those struggling with the fallout from being preyed upon by their doctors and coaches.
That someone as famous as Ms. Osaka faces mental health challenges reminds us that anyone is vulnerable. It would have been easy for Ms. Osaka to make up a convenient excuse for pulling out of the competition. She could have feigned an injury—a pulled hamstring, fatigue, or any variety of easily explained but difficult to verify maladies. Instead, she did something very brave. She acknowledged what we all have come to learn—mental illness, great and small, is prevalent. But now we talk about it.
MENTAL HEALTH POST-PANDEMIC
Early in the Musings, I spoke a good deal about the strains of isolation and the demands it places on one’s psyche. We are social animals that thrive in the company of others. Even the most introverted among us, while shying away from the spotlight, nonetheless derive strength and comfort from the company of others. That norm was altered when we were forced to stay home. We lost meaningful connections and casual social interactions. It was tough for many of us.
But now we are emerging from our cocoons and, in doing so, will be “shaking up habits” once again. The habits of the pandemic included working from home, driving less, remote schooling, and engaging less with the world. Some no doubt found this imposed isolation, and the opportunity to cocoon in the safety and quiet of our own homes, as comforting. None of us likes radical changes in our lives. I have no doubt that the next malady that will afflict many is the stress and panic that comes with reemerging into the hustle and bustle of “real life”—crowds, traffic, noise, constant motion, and social demands.
TELETHERAPY AND GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
Remote therapy was a lifeline during the pandemic. Now what? According to the World Journal of Psychiatry review of 452 studies, they concluded telepsychiatry performs as well as, if not better than, face-to-face delivery of mental health services. This may be an area where the response to the pandemic has changed the industry forever and has increased its availability and usage as a result.
Anxiety and depression is reported 9% higher among 11-19 year-olds than a year ago. And schools will need to address this: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-31/teachers-not-trained-for-student-covid-mental-health-trauma
WHAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE?
Transitions are tough. Tougher for some than others. Some people have lost loved ones. Some did not cope well with isolation. Others fear returning to the demands of our fast-paced, highly socially demanding, lifestyles. A little awareness of the anxieties of life and their effect on those we love will go a long way.
Warmly,
Glenn
PS: Sorry for the inadvertent delivery of Musing #303 from this last January… We’re migrating this to a different platform and something went wrong…