On The Move: Head in the game: Navigating mental health in sports

How important is it to prioritise mental health in sports? How can athletes be mentally healthy while performing at their best? 

Sports and exercise medicine physician, clinician and academic researcher, Dr Lervasen Pillay, joins Ayanda Charlie once again to unpack this layered topic. This polarising issue existed long before Simone Biles stepped back from competing in the Tokyo Olympics but her decision highlighted why this conversation is vitally important. 

Make sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your friends and family! 

This podcast is produced by 2Stories for Mediclinic, written by Nicci Collier, and produced by Carol Williams with audio editing, engineering, and sound design by Kozi Mzimela and Jordyn Toohey. 

Notable timestamps: 

[00:02:34] The importance of mental health for athletes. 

[00:03:43] What makes an athlete more prone to mental illnesses? 

[00:06:35] How coaches and sports organisations can support the mental health of athletes and reduce the stigma around it. 

[00:09:15] How to address mental health with athletes. 

[00:11:08] Eating disorders in the world of sports. 

[00:13:42] The importance of physical and mental rehabilitation after injuries and surgery. 

[00:16:20] Warning signs for athletes struggling with their mental health. 

[00:20:01] How pressure to perform affects children in sports. 

[00:23:17] How athletes can find an outlet while recovering from an injury. 

Links you should know about: 

Register for Mediclinic Prime: https://forms.mediclinic.co.za/prime

Dr Lervasen Pillay: https://www.mediclinic.co.za/en/corporate/doctors/9/Dr_Lervasen_Pillay.html

Contact The South African Depression and Anxiety Group: https://www.sadag.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=114

Transcript.pdf