Global Sport Matters highlights: Mental health matters

The intersection of sport, athletes and mental health remains a significant area of work for the Global Sport Institute. We’ve had the opportunity to offer our Global Sport Matters platform for discussion and solutions through resources, audio and video content.

Mental Health Resources

This Global Sport Matters post initially published in December of 2020 lists several resources for mental health and wellness that are sport and non-sport related. See the growing guide at bit.ly/GSMMentalHealth.

'Sports Professors' on the Global Sport Matters Podcast: Naomi Osaka’s Decision and the Fallout for Tennis

In this episode of the Global Sport Matters podcast, professors Kenneth L. Shropshire and Scott Rosner discuss Naomi Osaka’s decision to forgo press appearances after the 2021 French Open. Scott Rosner, Professor at Columbia University and Co-host of the Global Sport Matters Podcast said "This is not just a ‘I don’t want to talk to the media.’ There’s something deeper going on here. And I think that the public opinion has really by and large been very much in her corner." Listen to the podcast at bit.ly/thegsmpod.

A Story Bigger Than Basketball in Haiti

In July 2020, Global Sport Matters published a short documentary by producer Rhasaan Nichols and his partner Dave Fils-Aimé that took a closer look at a burgeoning youth basketball program in Haiti, and how sport can create a sustainable economy for future generations. Rhasaan Nichols said "What I found were people with immense pride and an incredible work ethic. There’s a hustle in the air, an energy in the streets of Port-au-Prince that rivals even Manhattan. And the children have so much heart. The story that brought me to Haiti is bigger than basketball." Watch the short doc at bit.ly/gsm-nichols.

A scene from the GSM short documentary, "A Story Bigger Than Basketball in Haiti" by Rhasaan Nichols.

The State of Mental Health

This Global Sport Matters Live episode included several thought leaders discussing sport and mental health. Guests included Rebecca Mehra, professional runner, public policy professional and campaign manager; Dr. Megan Roche, ultramarathon runner, and author with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience; Ian Pickup, pro vice chancellor and COO at University of East London; and, Amber Cargill, director of wellness at the National Football League Players Association.

During the show Dr. Megan Roche said “Mattering as a human is not conditional. We matter because we are here, because we are going through these challenges, because we are striving each day to be athletes and that mattering is not conditional on an outcome.” Watch the event recording at bit.ly/GSMLive112021.