Mental Health Awareness in German Society and Sport
Mental health awareness in both German society and sport has improved dramatically over the last decade. This shift is attributed to the breakdown of taboos, allowing for more open discussions about topics such as depression or anxiety disorders. Prominent personalities openly sharing their experiences have also contributed to this change.
Breaking Down Taboos
According to Johanna Belz, a sports psychologist at Germany’s most famous sports university in Cologne, the perception of competitive athletes has evolved. Previously, athletes were expected to show strength, endurance, and motivation, with psychological stress being overlooked. Today, it is recognized that athletes are more than just their performance, and their health and mental health are basic requirements for their overall well-being.
The Role of Sport in Mental Health
However, German sport still struggles with a culture that is too focused on performance. Football, being a high-profile sport, contributes to this culture, but it also attracts attention that is crucial for further recognition of mental health issues. Other sports like swimming or athletics, where athletes are more dependent on psychological support, also play a significant role.
Performance Culture
The performance culture is strongly promoted by the system, with high-performing athletes receiving more support. This means the entire system is oriented towards performance, making it challenging to implement changes. Belz acknowledges that there is movement and recognition in this area, but the implementation of support systems is sometimes difficult.
Mental Health Day and Awareness
World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th, has been instrumental in raising awareness since 1992. In Germany, the Mental Health Action Alliance, funded by the German Ministry of Health, supports this work nationwide. The alliance has called for a week of awareness since 2010. A significant moment in changing attitudes came when German long-distance runner Lea Meyer gave a vulnerable interview after failing to qualify for the 5000m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Athletes as Role Models
Meyer’s interview reminded everyone that an athlete’s value does not depend solely on their results. This was a significant moment in which the athlete himself reminded everyone watching that his value does not depend only on his results. For many, this was a moment of realization that athletes are more than their performance. Belz believes this is a great development, as athletes are developing a healthy identity where performance is part of who they are, but not the whole thing.
The Importance of Support
Belz emphasizes the importance of looking at the whole person, not just their athletic performance. Athletes are role models for children, making it crucial that they are seen as more than just their medals or achievements. The key is to make young competitive athletes mentally stronger at an early stage to prevent the development of mental illnesses.
Proactive Support
For 2026, Belz hopes to increase proactive support so that sports psychologists do not only react to cases of mental illnesses but also work to prevent them. This can be achieved by helping athletes develop a healthy identity and providing them with the tools to manage pressure and stress. The goal is to help people learn to swim instead of rescuing them after they fall into the river, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures in mental health support.
