Olympians Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt are celebrated for the physical strengths that have allowed them to excel as athletes. On Thursday, it was their advocacy in mental health that took center stage.
Phelps and Schmitt were presented with recognition awards from Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, appearing at an event in Washington for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.
“I know and you know about their battles with depression because they had the courage and the confidence to tell the world their stories,” Price said. “Even our national heroes can feel isolated and alone. This is a message that Americans need to hear.”
Phelps has held initiatives about healthy living through his foundation, the Michael Phelps Foundation, and Schmitt has talked openly about her mental health experiences at conferences and seminars.
“When I chose to speak out my only goal was to save one life,” Schmitt said. “People shouldn’t have to endure internal struggles alone.
The event was hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which released a study showing that major depressive episodes were more common among teens with asthma and diabetes than those without it.
The study also found that female teens who are overweight or obese were more likely to have a major depressive episode during the past year. Panelists focused during the event on the link between mental health and physical health.
Price, who was appointed in his role by President Trump earlier this year, said his priorities as secretary were tackling mental health, drug abuse and obesity.
Phelps encouraged viewers to reach out to someone they trusted if they were struggling.
“The struggles I had weren’t easy and weren’t fun, but they were part of my journey,” Phelps said.
