Simone Bilies besides being an Olympic champion just became a champion for Mental Health. She said she was having some mental health issues today and withdrew from the Olympics. Showing it’s okay not to be okay. Also her entire team backed her up on deciding to take care of herself. This is a huge step showing the entire world everyone is not okay at times and everyone needs mental health care at times and there is no reason to be ashamed.
Besides going into the Tokyo Olympics with everyone expecting her to win a gold medal for the women’s team, she is also dealing with the fact that she is a survivor of sexual abuse. During the pandemic she acknowledged she had been sexually abused by the gymnastics team doctor like many other girls have been abused. However, she did not retire from the sport. She did not retire because she knew if she continued the American Olympic Association would have to do something about the abuse situation. They could not ignore it and she could stop others from being abused. This is a real champion.
Dr. Michael Rubino is a psychotherapist with over 20 years experience treating children and teenagers and victims of trauma and abuse. For more information about his work visit his website at http://www.RubinoCounseling.com