Taboo, or not Taboo, that is the Question

By: Alexis Hammond

I. Mental Health Overview

A mental illness is defined as a “condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling[s], behavior[s], and mood[s].”^[1] These illnesses range from conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among many others.^[2] Research shows that 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 and then jumps to 75% by age 24.^[3] These statistics are significant because they exemplify how common and how early these issues can develop, thus necessitating meaningful conversation surrounding mental health. Interestingly enough, race plays a significant factor in the diagnosis of these mental health issues. According to a report by the Health and Human Services of Minority Health, Black adults in the United States are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress such as sadness and hopelessness.^[4] However, only one in three Black adults who need mental health care actually receive it.^[5] This disparity can be attributable to factors such as lack of access to care or treatment.^[6] But, as important as access to care or treatment for mental health services is, one factor hindering many Black people from seeking out necessary mental health care is the stigma existing around mental health within Black communities.

a. Mental Health and the Black Community

Mental health issues within the Black community are not uncommon, but their open discussion is uncommon. The onset of mental health issues dates back to slavery, and research has confirmed that racial trauma increases depression, anxiety, and PTSD within Black communities.^[7] Christine Crawford, a psychiatrist who has dedicated her career to helping Black people who silently battle with mental health issues due to fear of being judged, believes it important for Black people to understand the “historical misconceptions” surrounding mental health.^[8]Crawford believes that these “historical misconceptions” have caused Black people to conflate mental illness with things such as stress and being tired – misconceptions that were spread because it was believed that “slaves were not sophisticated enough to develop depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders.”^[9] However, the badges and incidents of slavery are not the only factors contributing to negative mental health among Black people. Research has also confirmed that direct traumatic stressors such as being heavily policed, indirect stressors such as the effects of seeing the killing of George Floyd, or even transmitted stressors such as trauma that is passed from one generation to the next, are all challenges affecting Black communities from seeking help.^[10] All these factors are working in tandem to produce a community that is both “fearful and uninformed about mental illness.”^[11]

Rather than seek professional medical help, many Black people have traditionally relied on faith and spirituality to deal with the effects of their mental health illnesses. The other alternative has been to not discuss the topic at all. This reluctance stems from the stigma within the Black community that mental illnesses are not real; or that if they are real, it makes one weak to admit they are struggling mentally. In fact, an alarming 63% of Black people have expressed that a mental health condition is a sign of weakness.^[12] Edwin Chapman, an internist specializing in addiction medicine, believes the root cause of this silence surrounding mental health is “a long tradition of oppression, [resulting in] anxiety and depression, which is often misinterpreted in [the black] community as weakness.”^[13] Crawford adds that growing up, Black people are often taught to not let people see them suffer.^[14] This mentality forces a number of them to hide and internalize their mental health issues.^[15] This is a common attitude towards mental health that must be completely shifted to bring awareness to the fact that mental illness does not discriminate and can affect anyone. In particular, it affects Black, professional athletes at higher rates and can influence how society views and treats Black athletes.

b. Mental Health and Black Athletes

To be a successful professional athlete, it is a universal truth that one needs to be strong, to be resilient, to be tenacious. Athletic culture teaches men and women alike to be strong, to be healthy, to walk it off, to fight through it. And this physical mentality just so happens to be the mentality that most Black athletes carry with them off the field, off the court, and off the mat whenever speaking about mental health issues. The fear of being labeled as weak is causing several athletes to refuse necessary mental health treatment. For them, they must always adhere to: “I have everything together, and I am a strong Black [person and athlete].”^[16]

However, recently, some Black athletes have broken their silence and have taken to their public platforms to raise awareness to combat the stigma. Their courage to speak openly about their stories is a move that is positively changing the conversation surrounding mental health issues within the Black community. Three Black women athletes, in particular, opted out of their respective competitions citing mental health reasons. Simone Biles pulled out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.^[17] Similarly, Naomi Osaka stepped away from the French Open and Wimbledon.^[18] Sha’carri Richardson did not opt-out but was rather reprimanded for how she coped with the passing of her mother, which caused her to miss the US Olympics.^[19] The confidence of these three women coupled with their huge following has sparked a nationwide appreciation of how they made mental health a paramount focus in their lives – thus encouraging others to proudly follow in their footsteps. Biles, Osaka, and Richardson – among many others – have shifted the way society views mental health within the Black community. They have shown that being a professional athlete does not make anyone immune to mental health issues. It makes one more vulnerable to mental health issues because one’s life is constantly evaluated under a microscope of what and how society thinks they should look like, act like, and feel like. Piers Morgan’s reaction following Simone Biles’ decision was: “I do not think it’s remotely courageous, heroic, or inspiring to quit.”^[20] Oliver Brown called Naomi Osaka’s choice to decline press interviews after she opted out for mental health reasons “diva behavior.”^[21] Sha’Carri Richardson’s decision sparked comments such as “Are we supposed to bend the rules because someone has a sob story?” and “What kind of example is she setting as a celebrity?”.^[22] However, one cannot expect one’s favorite athletes to perform at their best if mentally they are at their worst. The negative critique that these women received further showcases how Black athletes and how these Black women athletes, in particular, are constantly being scrutinized for being just humans. The criticism perpetuates the idea that Black athletes are not allowed to struggle, that they are not allowed to have emotions or to reach a breaking point. Nonetheless, the support of these women outweighed the judgment, and their stories have ignited meaningful conversation surrounding mental health within Black communities – a conversation from which people often shied away.

c. Mental Health and Antonio Brown’s Legal Situation

Biles’, Osaka’s, and Richardson’s stories all highlight the dangerous stereotype in America that Black athletes are both subhuman and superhuman all at once. This narrative was perpetuated with Antonio Brown – another Black athlete following his release from the Tampa Bay Bucs on January 6, 2022.^[23] Brown was released after he pulled off his helmet, jersey, and shoulder pads on the sideline and ran off the field doing jumping jacks and waving at fans during the third quarter of the game.^[24] Fans speculated as to what would prompt Brown to act like this, with some fans attributing the behavior to mental health issues. Shortly thereafter, Brown took to his public platform to tell his story. Brown stated that he was having issues with his ankle and told Coach Bruce Arians – the head coach of Tampa Bay – that he was not physically able to play.^[25] Brown stated that Coach Arians then told him, “You’re done,”^[26] which signified Brown allegedly being cut from the team. “I was cut first and then I went home. They threw me out like an animal, and I refused to wear their brand on my body, so I took my jersey off,” Brown said in his official statement.^[27] On the other hand, Coach Arians and the Bucs organization denied Brown’s version of the events and stated that Brown’s behavior was attributable to mental health issues.^[28] They further claimed that they did not have knowledge of Brown’s injury – a fact that was countered by Brown with screenshots between Brown and Coach Arians discussing the ankle injury a few days prior to the game.^[29]

Although we may not know whose version of the story is correct, we may have answers fairly soon. Brown has retained counsel and is prepared to sue the Bucs organization for how it relayed its version of the story. Brown called their story “ridiculous” and said it was a way for the Bucs organization to “cover up the real reason for his exit.”^[30] If supported by sufficient evidence, Brown will likely sue the Bucs organization for defamation if he can prove that the statements made by the Bucs organization were false and thus impacted his ability to get signed by another NFL team because they had such an adverse effect on his reputation.^[31] Moreover, given that Brown’s contract was governed by a collective bargaining agreement, which provides for mandatory arbitration, it will be interesting to see if Brown’s defamation claim will be able to proceed at all in a court of law. Admittedly, there have been instances where NFL athletes have been able to sue their former NFL organizations even if an arbitration agreement existed.^[32]

Additionally, Brown may have a claim under his collective bargaining agreement if he can prove that he was fired because of his ankle injury – an issue that will likely be decided by an arbitrator.^[33] Thus, if an arbitrator finds the causal link, Brown is likely entitled to the rest of the money under his contract as well as additional insurance money from a worker’s compensation claim under his collective bargaining agreement.^[34] Given that Brown has 25 days to file his grievances with the NFL, these answers may come to light sooner than later.^[35] And if Brown’s version of the events is correct, this scenario once again perpetuates the narrative idea that Black athletes are simultaneously subhuman and superhuman, and that the goal of many sports organizations is “‘not necessarily at what [is] best for the well-being [of the athlete].’”^[36]

II. Conclusion

Black mental health matters, and as the ancient proverb says: when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.

^[1] Mental Health Conditions, nat’l all. on mental illness, https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[2] Id.

^[3] Id.

^[4] Black/African American, nat’l all. on mental illness, https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[5] Id.

^[6] Id.

^[7] How Can We Break Mental Health Barriers in Communities of Color?, Mclean hosp., https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/how-can-we-break-mental-health-barriers-communities-color (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[8] Id.

^[9] Id.

^[10] Id.

^[11] Id.

^[12] nat’l All. on mental illness, supra note 4.

^[13] Keydra Manns, Why Do Black Men Hide Mental Illness?, health central, https://www.healthcentral.com/article/why-do-black-men-hide-mental-illness (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[14] Id.

^[15] Id.

^[16] Ike Evans, Mental Health and the Black Student Athlete, hogg found. for mental health, https://hogg.utexas.edu/black-student-athlete-mental-health (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[17] Louise Stranger, Black Athletes Speak Out on Mental Wellness, dr. louise, https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/2021/07/28/athletes-mental-health-and-openness/ (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[18] Id.

^[19] Id.

^[20] Gabrielle Fonrouge, Piers Morgan Slammed for Criticizing Simone Biles’ Decision to Withdraw, n.y. post, https://nypost.com/2021/07/28/piers-morgan-slammed-on-twitter-for-criticizing-simone-biles/ (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[21] Jennifer Hassan, Naomi Osaka Hailed for Bravery, Pilloried for ‘diva behavior’ Amid French Open Withdrawal, wash. post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/06/01/naomi-osaka-world-reacts-mental-health/ (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[22] Etan Thomas, The Sha’Carri Richardson Discourse Shows Most Fans Don’t Care About Athletes as Persons, the guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/09/shacarri-richardson-media-coverage-compassion (last visited Jan. 26, 2022).

^[23] Jenna Laine, Antonio Brown Says He’ll Pursue Legal Action Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Release, espn, https://www.nfl.com/news/buccaneers-release-wide-receiver-antonio-brown (last visited Feb. 1, 2022).

^[24] Id.

^[25] Id.

^[26] Id.

^[27] Id.

^[28] Id.

^[29] Id.

^[30] Id.

^[31] Id.

^[32] Id.

^[33] Id.

^[34] Id.

^[35] Id.