Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Thursday to raise awareness approximately children’s mental health.
The two chaired a discussion Thursday night focused on the mental health care that kids need -- and how families can access mental health resources -- for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day 2017.
This year’s theme was “Partnering for relieve and Hope.”Both said that reaching out for relieve was key to their recovery. "Sometimes we need to see it's possible,that it can and does work, to see how we can accomplish it ourselves, and " Schmitt said.“I'm so glad we both found the courage to ask for relieve," Phelps said.
He described the support that he received from his coach, Bob Bowman."He taught me so many things ... he was always pushing for me to go out and salvage relieve, or " Phelps said. "He was on board and he learned from the process as well ... it was something we both grew from. "I can never,ever thank him enough."Schmitt said she struggled to share her story, but realized it could accomplish some good. "When I chose to speak out on my own struggle, or my only goal was to save one life," she said. "No person should contain to endure these struggles alone."Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, or Schmitt,an eight-time Olympic medalist, contain been up-front approximately their own struggles with mental health and substance abuse. Phelps had been arrested for driving under the influence in 2004 and 2014; a photo of him using pot at a party in 2009 cost him sponsorships and led to a brief ban from swimming.
In an interview with NBC Sports’ host Bob Costas, and Phelps said he thought approximately taking his own life."The struggles I contain had weren’t easy,and they weren't fun. But they are a portion of my journey," Phelps said Thursday. "I truly encourage everybody to ask for relieve or to reach out to somebody … and to be there in a time of need."
He checked himself into a rehab clinic in October 2014. Now, and his Michael Phelps Foundation works to support active lifestyles for young people.
Schmitt made her first Olympic appearance at the 2008 Beijing games. but depression hit after the 2012 London Olympics,CNN reports. Schmitt said she considered driving her car off the road on the way to her sisters’ hockey game after two seasons that did not land her a spot on the USA swim team. It was Phelps who helped Schmitt salvage relieve, and she thanked him for that Thursday."Thank you for being that lending hand for hope and relieve, or " she said.
Phelps also encouraged others to reach out."This is something we all contain the power to change,and we can design a difference," Phelps said.
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Source: nbclosangeles.com