"It Is OK to Not Be OK" - Megan Anderson

[ReadWrite]

A Light in the Darkness

“I think there’s such a stigma around mental health,” Anderson said (via ESPN). “Particularly as fighters, we are seen as invincible. We get in the cage and we fight and we’re supposed to be like superhero people.

“I think the more fighters that come out and talk about it, I feel like we really have a good voice to show people that it is OK to not be OK. It’s OK to have these feelings or to feel this way. Just remember: You aren’t the only one. And there is always somebody that will be there for you. It is never a worst-case scenario. It is never as bad as you think it is.”

Anderson also spoke about her own suicide attempt back in 2010 when she was in the army. Anderson was in hospital for around a week after what happened.

“I was at a point where I was just so scared to do anything, so mentally broken I didn’t know what else I could do. That was hard for my family, obviously. After that, we made the decision [the Army] wasn’t for me.”

Anderson also had “crippling anxiety” in the lead-up to her bout against Felicia Spencer at UFC Rochester, and she wound up going ahead with the fight where she lost via rear-naked choke.

Above all else, though, it’s incredibly important that someone with the profile of Megan Anderson comes out and talks about this. Her honesty is inspiring.

https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc...ental-health-issues-previous-suicide-attempt/

 

[SeattleFightFan]

Reading things like this makes me feel pretty lucky.

 

[Schaub]

Not a criticism of Megan but if you're suicidal at any point being a soldier or cage fighter seems like a bad idea.

 

[Washad]

 

[Andre Xiong]

Needs more pics

 

[Wizzlebiz]

Reading things like this makes me feel pretty lucky.

Depression is no joke. Ive been there as well as known and lost people who couldnt deal with it.

Its horrendous

 

[shertardinho]

pix?

 

[Davey Crockett]

Talking about mental health like this on a social media platform or in an interview is self indulgence imo. Go and reach out to someone in private who is suffering and actually try to make a difference for that person.

 

[Blayt7hh]

Not a criticism of Megan but if you're suicidal at any point being a soldier or cage fighter seems like a bad idea.

Some people become suicidal though from things spiraling out of control in their life after becoming one or the other.

 

[Canned Tuna]

Not a criticism of Megan but if you're suicidal at any point being a soldier or cage fighter seems like a bad idea.

Why does being a cage fighter seem like a bad idea?

Depression and suicide rates are extremely high in the military

 

[Wizzlebiz]

Talking about mental health like this on a social media platform or in an interview is self indulgence imo. Go and reach out to someone in private who is suffering and actually try to make a difference for that person.

I think you miss the point. Its not just her shes speaking for.

 

[Davey Crockett]

I think you miss the point. Its not just her shes speaking for.

I know. I’m just saying from my past experiences that the same people who go on suicide prevention fund raisers are the same people who will contribute to your misery. People say one thing then do another.

 

[Wizzlebiz]

I know. I’m just saying from my past experiences that the same people who go on suicide prevention fund raisers are the same people who will contribute to your misery. People say one thing then do another.

Ah so a misery loves company type of thing?

My hope is the opposite side. Instead of mysery, I hope its a call to arms for support.

 

[SeattleFightFan]

Not a criticism of Megan but if you're suicidal at any point being a soldier or cage fighter seems like a bad idea.

Ya. Or not.

I think that's her point. If we acknowledge that some people have some problems that are fixable, and then fix them, we're all better off. It's that whole "battling the stigma" thing.

It's also suggesting that you and others question your preconceived notions every once in awhile. No one said it would be easy. Most positive changes aren't.

And on the flip side, there are plenty of non-depressed folks who being a solder or cage fighter is a very bad idea.

 

[JustOnce]

A Light in The Darkness

“I think there’s such a stigma around mental health,” Anderson said (via ESPN). “Particularly as fighters, we are seen as invincible. We get in the cage and we fight and we’re supposed to be like superhero people.

“I think the more fighters that come out and talk about it, I feel like we really have a good voice to show people that it is OK to not be OK. It’s OK to have these feelings or to feel this way. Just remember: You aren’t the only one. And there is always somebody that will be there for you. It is never a worst-case scenario. It is never as bad as you think it is.”

Anderson also spoke about her own suicide attempt back in 2010 when she was in the army. Anderson was in hospital for around a week after what happened.

“I was at a point where I was just so scared to do anything, so mentally broken I didn’t know what else I could do. That was hard for my family, obviously. After that, we made the decision [the Army] wasn’t for me.”

Anderson also had “crippling anxiety” in the lead-up to her bout against Felicia Spencer at UFC Rochester, and she wound up going ahead with the fight where she lost via rear-naked choke.

Above all else, though, it’s incredibly important that someone with the profile of Megan Anderson comes out and talks about this. Her honesty is inspiring.

https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc...ental-health-issues-previous-suicide-attempt/

lol

 

[j18lee]

Not a criticism of Megan but if you're suicidal at any point being a soldier or cage fighter seems like a bad idea.

As opposed to a garbage man or policeman or waiter?

If I were suicidal and I had to work, I'd probably choose to be soldier or cage fighter. I would be like fuck it, I'm going down fighting, and getting physically hurt relieves some of the mental pain.

Being a garbage man or waiter would just depress you even faster with no relief. Being a policeman would be terrible as you'd do crazy shit because you would be depressed. I'd say, soldier or cage fighter seems like a decent career choice for suicidal person.

At least that's the perspective of someone who used to be suicidal and competed in combat sports.

 

[beastman]

Talking about mental health like this on a social media platform or in an interview is self indulgence imo. Go and reach out to someone in private who is suffering and actually try to make a difference for that person.

Maybe, but highlighting a legit problem in society and calling attention to it probably isn't a bad thing.

The problem is that people who are suffering don't reach out because of the stigma that still is attached to mental problems.

 

[Jew Jif Shoes]

Depression is a bitch.

So fuck it like one.

 

[OneManOrgy]

That explains the tattoos

 

[ianferguson]

Talking about mental health like this on a social media platform or in an interview is self indulgence imo. Go and reach out to someone in private who is suffering and actually try to make a difference for that person.

I think you're entirely missing the point. People go public with something like mental illness in an attempt to break the stigma associated with it. To debunk that it is something to be ashamed of or to have to hide. They want it known that it can affect anyone from any walk of life. It isn't a moral failing or a matter or weakness.

How you can see "self indulgence" in an act of such vulnerability is a mystery. I see selflessness. I see someone who is willing to share something deeply personal to help others who might be suffering in silence.