Michael Phelps Opens Up About His Struggles With Suicidal Thoughts

BYAlexander Cole1.8K Views
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Michael Phelps
Phelps is letting people know that it's okay to seek help.

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all-time and has been the most impressive swimmer we've ever seen. Every time the Olympics come around, Phelps shows the whole world why he's the best and doesn't seem to age, although he would probably tell you differently. Success doesn't come without its pitfalls though and Phelps knows that better than anyone. In the past, Phelps has been open about struggling with anxiety and depression but this past weekend, Phelps took to Twitter to delve deeper on his mental health struggles, all while urging people to seek help.

"Did you know that one in four people around the world experience a mental health issue? I was one of them," Phelps wrote. "That’s why I’ve teamed up with [Talkspace] this  [Mental Health Awareness Month] –– to let you know that getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness."

As he goes on to explain he actually used to suffer from suicidal thoughts which led him to seek help in the first place. These thoughts all stemmed from anxiety and depression that had plagued him for years.

"I struggled with anxiety and depression and questioned whether or not I wanted to be alive anymore," Phelps explained. "It was when I hit this low that I decided to reach out and ask for the help of a licensed therapist. This decision ultimately helped save my life. You don’t have to wait for things."

Phelps ended his Twitter speech by promoting his collaboration with Talkspace which will surely help those in need.

About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current editor-in-chief of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. It was here where he began to hone his craft, putting his journalism degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, to good use. Since that time, he has documented some of the biggest stories in the hip-hop world. From the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef to the disturbing allegations against Diddy, Alex has helped HotNewHipHop navigate large-scale stories as they happen. In 2021, he went to the Bahamas for the Big 3's Championship Game. It was here where he got to interview legendary figures like Ice Cube, Clyde Drexler, and Stephen Jackson. He has also interviewed other superstar athletes such as Antonio Brown, Damian Lillard, and Paul Pierce. This is in addition to conversations with social media provocateurs like Jake Paul, and younger respected artists like Kaycyy, Lil Tecca, and Jeleel!
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