I am just shaking my head with some of the Naomi posts in here. And why, seriously, for the sake of my own mental health issues, I pretty much only come in here with the Pools. (Clinical depression has not robbed me of my lust for imaginary little tennis trophies/past imaginary little gold medals.)
How does Naomi make the WTA look, when "male players don't seem to be complaining either"? WELL, then, we have had plenty of stories about male players from numerous sports who, especially after they retire, DO go through bouts of depression, anxiety, etc. Who batter their spouses. Who attempt or succeed with suicides/homicides. So, you know: men have mental health issues, too. I'd say that men, historically, have done a pretty (expletive) job when it comes to dealing with mental health issues.
So, how does this make Naomi and the WTA look? I think that, if this world can become more honest- that this makes her look like she's ahead of her time and a leader.
TRUST that I am not saying nor meaning to imply that press conferences are leading anyone to a lifetime of mental health woes. But- when did anyone in here suddenly become an expert at what Naomi is going through? Do any of you REALLY know what is going on in her head right now? What she has been through? I applaud Naomi, because SHE knows better about how to best deal with her own mental health issues than anyone else could. Dealing best with mental issues can be very different for any individual.
I also wish, seriously, that we men would just learn to shut the **** up more. We've done a pretty **** job.
Ultimately, no one's specific mental health issues are anyone's damned business. But, she has chosen to be upfront about this- and I feel it is, at least, inappropriate to question anyone when they say they have mental health issues. You know- maybe just consider going with, believing someone has mental health issues when they say that they do? In my view, that is brave and smart. Especially when you see how the world reacts when you admit you have mental health issues, AND especially if you are a woman who has mental health issues.
Like, in my much, MUCH-smaller-world way, I chose a LONG time ago to be out as a gay man including at my jobs (except working as a social worker with clients, because you aren't supposed to talk about your personal life with clients, period), and then also about my depression and mental health issues. Because, for sure, nothing is going to change unless some speak up. And I've paid the price for sure. I can only imagine how Naomi will get dragged. And, sure, it sucks for me that I can't toss out tens of thousand of dollars in two weeks time to make any kind of a point. But, I'm not going to hate on Naomi because I don't have that luxury. PROPS to Naomi, I say.
To make myself even more popular in here- I'll add that, in my view, sometimes doubters and questioners may very well have mental health issues that they are unaware of, or deny, or they have loved ones with issues and they are in denial. Or, they were raised in the 0.00005% of word-wide functional families and just don't know any better. (It could happen?) Or, they're just, at least on this subject, insensitive. And/or won't listen, won't learn.
BTW, I'll always feel some even justifiable shame that I was not capable of utilizing all of the talents that I have had in my life. (But, I've used some, so there.) And, one of the main reasons is, for all of my bark- I knew what any sizable group of people would say about me, most definitely from any group of gay men. (And now that I am 61, JUST imagine!!!!!
) I am stronger than many might think- but, I ain't that strong. With Naomi's level of world attention?!?!? NO!!!!! thank you.
I do know that I have to speak up, for my own well-being, especially as depression is one huge ****er. Hopefully, even such small gestures can ultimately help, at least in an accumulative way.
I also get that I can be viewed as a complete hypocrite here with my history of vile posts about some players. (And, I can apologize for many, but not concerning Lard-Ass. With his 275 Roland Garros titles, Lard-Ass can handle it.) But- maybe it wouldn't hurt if we managed to live in a world where we don't in the press have to rip Konta a new one during her next Strycova-Wimbledon moments? Maybe, like in so many ways, we can yet again learn that, just because "we've always done it this way" with sports, we can evolve and consider that maybe the "old way" was always wrong, so we can do better? Maybe we just let the player who can handle the stress that already takes place during any major tennis contest, and not have to deal with the rest of the world's crap, win?