Richarlison opens up about his battle with depression after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar | ESPN FC

Summary

In a heartfelt reflection, the speaker shares their struggles with mental health following their participation in the World Cup, expressing feelings of despair and the temptation to give up on their dreams. They recount conversations with their father about quitting, revealing the emotional toll of personal issues and depression. However, they credit a psychologist with saving their life, encouraging others to seek help and emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness. Overcoming stigma, they now view therapy as a transformative experience, advocating for openness and support within the sports community and beyond.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker experienced significant emotional struggles after participating in the World Cup.
• 🏡 Personal issues at home affected the speaker's mental health, leading to feelings of despair.
• 💔 The speaker expressed a desire to give up on their dreams, which was a challenging conversation with their father.
• 🌍 The importance of mental health support in sports and life is emphasized.
• 🧠 The speaker initially had a stigma against seeking psychological help, thinking it was a sign of weakness.
• 💬 They found value in talking to a psychologist, which they describe as life-saving.
• 🔍 The speaker admitted to searching harmful thoughts online, highlighting a struggle with mental health.
• 🏆 The context of performing at a high level (World Cup) added to the speaker's stress.
• ❤️ The speaker encourages others to seek help if they are struggling with mental health issues.
• 🌟 The speaker considers their experience with therapy a positive turning point in their life.

Q & A

What mental state did the speaker describe after the World Cup?

The speaker described feeling close to depression and experiencing a significant emotional breakdown, which led them to consider giving up on their dreams.

How did personal issues at home affect the speaker's mental health?

The speaker revealed that discovering troubling things about people they lived with for over seven years impacted their mental health, contributing to their emotional struggles.

What specific thoughts did the speaker struggle with?

The speaker mentioned having thoughts about death and engaging in negative online searches related to those thoughts.

Who did the speaker turn to for help, and how did that affect them?

The speaker turned to a psychologist, who they credited with saving their life by providing support and helping them process their feelings.

What was the speaker's initial perception of seeking psychological help?

Initially, the speaker had a prejudice against seeking psychological help, considering it a sign of weakness or 'frescura' (foolishness).

How did the speaker's view on psychology change over time?

The speaker came to view seeing a psychologist as a beneficial and important step, recognizing it as one of the best discoveries in their life.

What advice does the speaker give to others who might be struggling?

The speaker encourages anyone needing help to seek a psychologist, emphasizing the importance of opening up and discussing their feelings.

What role did the speaker's father play in their journey?

The speaker's father was supportive and pursued their dreams, making it particularly difficult for the speaker to express their desire to give up.

What impact did the speaker's experience have on their perspective regarding mental health in sports?

The speaker expressed a desire to raise awareness about mental health issues within the sports community, recognizing its importance and their responsibility to share their journey.

What was a significant emotional challenge the speaker faced during this period?

The speaker experienced a deep sadness and a feeling of reaching their limit, compounded by personal struggles following a major sporting achievement.