Paris Olympics 2024: Psychiatrist joined IOC for first time to take care of athlete’s mental health

There is no health without mental health. Yet, for years this aspect of health has been pushed to the sidelines – in the world of sport and other avenues of life as well. In including mental wellness as part of the contingent, the Indian Olympic Association has recognized that mental health matters. In considering it as a part of the medical team in particular, it has conveyed that mental health and well-being is just as important as physical health and well-being. Such a decision not only will positively impact the upcoming Paris 2024 games, but also go a long way in shaping the future and paving the way for mental health support reaching the grassroots. 

These efforts are in line with the recent emphasis of the International Olympic Commission which has championed the cause of athlete mental health. From carrying out research across the world, to disseminating educational courses, launching a 24x7 helpline in 70 languages, providing an athlete mental health toolkit, early identification resources, the IOC has led the way. In fact, this is the first time that the Paris Olympic Village will have a dedicated MindZone.

Mental health is integral to well-being and integral to success. When we speak of mental health we’re not just talking about the absence of an illness. A complete understanding of mental health goes much beyond. According to the World Health Organization, mental health also means our ability to deal with the pressures of daily life, learn well and work well, contribute to the community and to be able to realize our potential. Each of these elements have a direct impact on sport and an athlete’s ability to perform at their peak. 

We all experience challenges; all go through our ups and downs. A few of these though are unique, or let’s say, more pronounced in the world of sport. Athletes are confronted with winning and losing every day. They spend a lot of time away from families, whether in training or competition. There are a lot of pressures and expectations to perform, under a lot of public scrutiny. The short span of play, stressors of selections, the impact of injuries and career transitions all also play a role. In high pressure situations, where the difference is often less than a couple of seconds, being able to make those few moments count. 

The need of the hour is for athletes to train themselves to deal with the pressure that comes with big sporting events. Building confidence, motivation, resilience, self-control and focus are some of the key elements of mental strength. Using strategies like visualization, muscle relaxation, self- talk, goal setting, focus training, self-regulation and mindfulness in a scientific, evidence manner, and making it a part of training through the years is the way forward. At the same time, going beyond performance and providing athletes with the right mindset and the right kind of support system to deal with the emotional challenges that come their way matters too. 

To move forward as a sporting nation, mental well-being needs to be incorporated as a core element of training. And this is must go beyond one-off instances of elite athletes taking the support of a sport psychologist. What it requires is a shift in mindset about mental health, which is reflected at the level of policy and decision making by leading sports bodies in the country. Mental skills training must be encouraged and included as part of sport training from a young age, so our athletes feel confident, have the right mindset and a positive attitude to deal with the pressures of competing. At the same time, promoting mental health literacy and imparting the right life skills to young athletes can also have a lasting impact. Most of all, we need a policy where the psychological safety of athletes is prioritized, so they can flourish and reach their true potential. These changes need to take place at all levels of sport – from grassroots academies to the elite, high performance training centres. To this end, Paris 2024 is the first, crucial step.  

*Dr. Samir Parikh (psychiatrist) is the Chief Mental Wellness Expert and Divya Jain (Sport Psychologist) is the Mental Wellness Expert with the Paris 2024 Medical Team appointed by the Indian Olympic Association.