Template for Athletic Mental Health
Super star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks set a powerful mental health boundary during a post season interview. The reporter asked Antetokounmpo if he saw, “Milwaukee’s season as a failure” for losing first round in the playoffs.
Antetokounmpo’s response is a template for athlete’s of any sport when reporters questions are skewed to pull on an athlete’s emotions after a painful loss, evoke a response from the athlete of short comings on their part, or attempting to ferit out issues on a team.
His response is a powerful example of appropriate, respectful boundaries and in doing so takes steps to preserve his mental health. Too frequently athlete’s response to questions like this end up being combative or defensive. Responding in this way sets up more probing, sensitivities and a need to defend and prove oneself. The proving of oneself is determined by regrouping and coming back better as a team the following year. Rest, Recovery, Reassess, Adjust, Let’s Go!