2:13
The experts commended Lehner for his decision and called it \"courageous.\"
\"It takes an enormous amount of confidence to speak up,\" she said. \"Athletes are accustomed to internalizing their feelings. When athletes are unable to sleep, eat or function, it's often tied to a poor sports performance.\"
How athletes speaking up removes the stigma
Magavi said that she hopes more athletes speaking out about mental health removes some of the pressure they face.
\"Athletes are human beings like you and I,\" she said. \"Athletes have all kinds of insecurities. They want to win the gold as much as we want them to win it for us. But they also have the right to determine whether they want to play.\"
\"They are more attuned to their bodies, their emotions and, if they're feeling the time is not right, it's their decision,\" she added.
Norman said that athletes speaking up could also remove the stigma around mental health for everyday Americans and help them realize how common mental health conditions are.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Health/olympic-village-1-gty-er-220203_1643914098702_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
\"You're not alone. Folks who are extremely high achieving like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, a lot of elite athletes, also struggle with mental health conditions,\" he said. \"I think having folks like that with those types of platforms speaking out, it really helps not only other athletes but folks within the general population that may look up to these athletes. It may help them seek treatment.\"
The psychiatrists added that giving Olympians a chance to address their mental health concerns will lead to better performances and, in turn, lead to more medals for the U.S.
\"If we come back with healthy, safe players, we may also bring back the gold,\" Magavi said. \"It's a win-win situation.\"
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