‘It’s OK to ask for help’: Michael Phelps says opening up about depression better than winning Olympic gold
The 23-time Olympic champion on how his life has changed since he revealed last year he had battled suicidal thoughts
He has won 23 Olympic gold medals – a record that may never be beaten.
But swimming great Michael Phelps told a Chicago audience on Tuesday that was nothing compared with the satisfaction he got from opening up about and seeking help for his depression.
Speaking at a forum breakfast about mental health at the Hilton Chicago, Phelps, 32, spoke about how his life had changed since he revealed in August he had battled suicidal thoughts after his second DUI arrest in 2014.
“Since that day it’s been some of the most enjoyable living I’ve ever had,” Phelps said, adding that the messages of support from families dealing with mental health issues had given him “feelings and emotions … that are a light-year better than winning a gold medal, because you have a chance to save a life, and that’s way more powerful”.
Phelps, who has quickly become a champion for mental health issues, said he had not even planned to open up about his inner turmoil when he spontaneously told a Sports Illustrated reporter about it last year.
