I Overcame So Much Shame, Says Tennis Prodigy Naomi Osaka, 25, After Mental Health Break During 2021 Tour

“For me, I felt like it was necessary, but I kind of felt ashamed in that moment because as an athlete you’re kind of told to be strong and push through everything, but I think I learned that it’s better to re-group and adjust the feelings you have in that moment and you can come back stronger,” Osaka told Good Morning America.

Osaka, a former world No. 1, pulled out of the Grand Slams all together last year and “played just three more events for the year as she then announced an indefinite break following a heartbreaking early US Open exit,” reports Express.

"I think for me, I’ve just always been taught to kind of like stick it out or work through it, and I think that’s a very valuable lesson because it has gotten me through a lot of things in life," Osaka said during a recent appearance on “The Late Show.”

"But there was just a point where I thought to myself like ‘why?’ … you know. And not in a negative way, but if I am feeling this way, why would I keep pushing through it, when I can confront it and fix it and then continue on my journey?” she continued.

Finding the Right Option for Mental Health Needs

Whether it is a loss of a loved one, or a change in life brought on by a cancer diagnosis, “grief comes in waves,” says Dr. Scott Irwin, a psychiatrist and Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

"They're grieving the change in their life, the future they had imagined is now different,” he told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. Some days can be tougher than others, but Dr. Irwin says talk therapy can be really helpful so it's important to reach out to your doctor, to a therapist, or to support groups in your community if you are struggling.

Dealing With Grief Related to Health Problems

Treatment options for people struggling with mental health really run the gamut. While some people may benefit from seeking the help of a psychologist and getting on medication, others see great improvement by simply implementing some lifestyle changes, such as prioritizing exercise and cutting back on alcohol.

Those struggling should know that they are not alone about one in five American adults has experienced some sort of mental health issue, according to mentalhealth.gov. However, what worked to help someone else cope may not necessarily help you as treatment must be individualized.

To maintain a positive mindset and address mental health struggles you may be having, treatment may include:

• Seeking professional help from a psychiatrist or therapist
• Learning healthy coping skills
• Medication such as antidepressants
• Adding more physical activity to your routine
• Adjusting your sleep schedule
• Connecting with others via support groups
• Mindfulness and meditation

No Reason to Feel Shame

Osaka’s experience will hopefully help people realize there is no reason to be embarrassed about seeking out mental health tools.

There's nothing to be ashamed of and it is important to realize you are not alone. The CDC reports that more than 20% of American adults said they sought out mental health treatment over the past year, according to a 2020 survey. Among those people, 16.5% said they had taken some sort of medication for their mental health and 10.1% said they had received counseling or therapy.

The term mental health refers to both our emotional and psychological well-being. Our mental health can affect how we think, feel, and behave. There are also certain triggers as stress, traumatic events, or a change in your physical health can all affect mental health.

It's really important to keep tabs on your mental health and, if necessary, seek treatment. This doesn't necessarily mean traditional therapy because while it may be really helpful (even life-changing) for some, that doesn't mean it's for everyone.

Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychologist, told SurvivorNet it’s important to be "realistically optimistic" when learning to cope with mental health struggles.

How to Be Realistically Optimistic: Coping With Mental Health Long-Term

Problems with mood and overall mental well-being can be attributed to several factors. For some people it's genetic, while others may be experiencing a response to some sort of stressor or past trauma.

"I think flexibility is really a core of how to manage it," Dr. Boardman. "Are your coping strategies that you're using now, are they helpful in the way that they were in the past?"

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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