Cancelled: The Sports World’s Mental Health Wake-Up Call
Years of intense discipline, scrutiny, and high-stakes performance pressure can render pro athletes susceptible to mental health issues — especially athletes of individual sports — which can have tragic consequences if ignored. When Naomi Osaka & Simone Biles courageously spoke out, the world finally paid attention. Exploring the sports world’s mental health wakeup call, Columbia University Medical Center Psychiatrist-in-Chief Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman and pro tennis champions Patrick McEnroe, Andrea Jaeger, and Emilio Ángel Sánchez Vicario will discuss the physical-mental toll; mental health risk factors & warning signs; “Shut Up & Play”; athlete empowerment; the role of the media/social media; and organizations’ responsibilities in safeguarding athletes’ mental health as well as their physical.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Emilio Ángel Sánchez Vicario
Emilio Sanchez Academy Florida
Andrea Jaeger
Little Star Foundation
Patrick McEnroe
John Mcenroe Tennis Academy