Neeraj Chopra on mental health in sports

“We definitely need it.” How do Indian athletes take care of their mental health? Neeraj Chopra spoke to Brut about it.

Transcript

00:00I don't have anyone to take care of my mental health.

00:08No matter how physically fit we are,

00:10if we are not able to think mentally,

00:15if we are mentally down,

00:18then we definitely need help.

00:20We definitely need help mentally.

00:35For physical health, you must have coaches, trainers, nutritionists, dietitians.

00:40For mental health, do you have the help of therapists, counsellors or what do you do for your mental health?

00:49No, I don't have anyone to take care of my mental health.

00:55I just talk to my coaches, physios, friends at home.

01:02I am always positive about the things that I talk to them about.

01:07I am always positive about the things that I talk to them about.

01:19I am always positive about the things that I talk to them about.

01:29I am always positive about the things that I talk to them about.

01:39I am always positive about the things that I talk to them about.

01:47When we are very close to a game or a competition,

01:54we think about it and visualize it.

01:59We play and think about how to perform.

02:02We think about it and visualize it.

02:08We just train, which helps our sport both mentally and physically.

02:17Do you think athletes need to have some type of institutional mental health check once in a week or once in a month to talk to a professional?

02:39Absolutely. If I didn't do it, I wouldn't say that it's not necessary.

02:45Every athlete has a different mindset and body.

02:50Those who are taking help and many people are getting benefits from it, should definitely do it.

03:09Do you think athletes need to have some type of institutional mental health check once in a week or once in a month to talk to a professional?

03:14Absolutely. We need it.

03:16No matter how physically fit we are, if we are not able to think or perform mentally, we need help.

03:31I wouldn't say that it's not necessary.

03:33Those who are taking help and many people are getting benefits from it, should definitely do it.