In 2021, tennis champion Naomi Osaka made headlines when she withdrew from the French Open to prioritise her mental health. At the age of 23, she was already a four-time grand slam winner, and a highly celebrated international athlete. Amidst her success, however, Osaka has bravely spoken about experiencing waves of anxiety before the matches and interviews that are inevitable in a high stakes professional sporting environment. To share a simple yet empowering example, Osaka once said in an interview that “it’s okay to not be okay”, despite deeply ingrained societal pressures to just “stick it out”.
Osaka has also described how she began to use mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises or focusing her attention on her surroundings, to take a quiet moment away from the spotlight and pressure of the sporting arena. While this doesn’t erase her struggles, it has given her the space to pause, slow down and protect herself. Osaka’s experience demonstrates that mindfulness is more than just sitting down cross legged and meditating. It is also about creating moments to reflect and prioritise your own mental health, especially when things feel overwhelming.
This is something we can all relate to. Whether it’s the pressures of exams, friendships, sporting fixtures, drama or music performances, and particularly social media. We are all living in a world where it is increasingly easy to get caught up by the what ifs, and to become troubled by the past. Taking a few minutes to practise mindfulness gives us a way to slow down and appreciate the present. As we mark World Mental Health Day this Friday, I suggest taking a moment and reflecting on how important it is to care for your own personal mental wellbeing.
Unfortunately, suicide is a tragic aspect of mental health we cannot shy away from discussing, as it’s a serious issue amongst young people in the UK, and some students in this room may be personally affected. The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 720,000 people die by suicide globally. Particularly relevant to us, it’s the third leading cause of death amongst 15- to 29-year-olds across the world. Between 2010 and 2020, there were just under 10,000 suicides by people aged between 10 and 24 years old in the UK and of this number, 1,145 deaths were under the age of 18. This staggering statistic equates to 444 suicides per year in the UK amongst young men.
Paddy Pimblett, a well-known MMA fighter, has said, “if you’re a man and you’ve got a weight on your shoulder […] start talking”. Over a billion people in the world struggle with their mental health and it’s time to eradicate the stigma around speaking up. I ask all of you to speak up to anyone if you’re struggling: whether it be to a friend, your parents, a teacher, or one of our school’s dedicated counsellors.
This week, as we approach World Mental Health Day, remember that taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Be mindful. Pause and take a moment to breathe. Notice your surroundings, notice how you feel, and please don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re struggling. Small steps like mindfulness or reaching out to someone, can make all the difference. Everyone’s life matters. Look up and speak to your mates and check in with how they’re doing. You really don’t need a reason to. As Naomi Osaka said, “it’s okay to not be okay”.
Alex Kay
School Captain