Olympians speak out about mental health struggles
Olympic bronze medallist Jack Laugher, who trains in Leeds has spoken of his mental health struggles in the run up to the games
Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Jack Laugher, who trains in Leeds has spoken of his mental health struggles in the run up to the games.
The 26-year-old had been struggling with his metal health in the lead up to the games, preparing for the 3 metre springboard and 3m synchro.
He had already won gold and silver at Rio 2016 but he's now completed the set, after winning a bronze medal in the 3 metre springboard on Tuesday.
He said:
"I was at one of my lowest points and then the problem kept persisting, and that's when it really started to affect my mental health, when I couldn't get out of the rut, I couldn't understand why it was happening, I was trying my hardest, I was giving 110% and I was still making this mistake.
"I had massive anxiety around training, tremendous struggle with being physically scared of the dive, which I've never had before or gone through before, and I utilised my friends and family so much and pulled on them to help me."
Well, former professional boxer, Nicola Adams, who's from Leeds said:
"We have sports physiologists to help, there's a lot of people to talk to on team GB about it and it's (mental health) is nothing to be ashamed of or afraid of.
"If you need help, if you need somebody to talk to, there's people out there to talk to, so It's about being open and honest and going and asking for help if you need it."