Japan's Naomi Osaka serves the ball to Romania's Patricia Maria Tig during their first round match of the French open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Paris.
Christophe Ena / AP Photo
Athletes’ mental health claims make headlines after star tennis player drops out of competition
Also on the program: Spending the Army birthday with one soldier who "beat the odds"
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Merideth Bucher
Christophe Ena / AP Photo
Japan's Naomi Osaka serves the ball to Romania's Patricia Maria Tig during their first round match of the French open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Paris.
Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”
Airdate: Monday, June 14, 2021
When Japanese-born Naomi Osaka dropped out of the French Open tennis tournament last month citing mental health concerns, the media world took notice.
There were some who accused the athlete of being a prima donna by declining post-competition media interviews. When Osaka cited depression and anxiety as her reason, the media buzz changed from skeptical to sympathetic.
Athletes are often held to a different standard when it comes to public expectations, but the tide may be turning in a time when mental health stigma is waning.
Dr. Amy Sherell Walker, Ph.D., is a psychologist who counsels both adults and adolescent athletes. She joins Smart Talk Monday to address some of the mental health challenges facing athletes today.
For more on mental health issues plus a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare–check out WITF’s Transforming Health. Online at TransformingHealth.org, a partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital Blue Cross.
Celebrating the Army birthday with one soldier who “beat the odds”
This year marks 246 years of the U.S. Army serving the nation. Established on June 14, 1775, the Army is the longest serving military service.
Since its inception, the Army has offered a path to young men and women seeking opportunities and sometimes a path out of troubled circumstances.
Army Colonel Okera Anyabwile climbed out from adversity on the streets of South Central Los Angeles and into an Army that offered opportunity and saw in him a potential for leadership. Anyabwile joins Smart Talk Monday to share his story.
