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Soccer Story from Germany

Written by SEM

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:00

This comment is not strictly related to schizophrenia, but to the stigma attached to mental illness in general. As a regular listener to the BBC Worldservice, this morning I heard an announcement from Germany that yesterday a famous soccer player died by suicide. The European soccer world is in shock as it now appears that the player had severe depression and said in a note that he couldn't continue. The BBC interviewer was discussing the incident with a sports psychologist and talked about the tremendous pressure that goes with playing any sport at an international level. An tragic situation.

The interviewer questioned whether or not the athlete should have just "given up" and not played soccer. Twice, the phrase "given up" was used . This is a classic example of the stigma and ignorance those with mental illness face. "Giving up" connotes failure and a lack of will.

When other athletes have an illness or injury which affects their ability to play, the situation is accommodated and supported through physical therapy, medication and/or an adjusted play schedule. There isn't the same suggestion that the athlete with a bad knee just "give up" on their sport.

This kind of interview does nothing to help people see mental illness in the same light as other illnesses. What is particularly upsetting is that millions of people around the world listen to the BBC and this morning have had the societal message that mental illness is an issue of will and personal strength reinforced. SEM