Smarzek admitted that for the past three years, the illness "had been her shadow, accompanying her in the darkest moments." She mentioned that during this time, she felt "lonely, overwhelmed, and powerless," and each day was a struggle.
The volleyball player described how difficult it became to combine her depression with her passion for the sport, which "turned into an endless torture." Despite this, Smarzek decided to fight for her mental health, stating that "she had to fight, if not for the sport, then for herself."
From the perspective of two years since her last suicidal thoughts, she urged that mental health be treated with the same seriousness as physical health, especially in sports.
She thanked her loved ones, psychotherapist, and psychiatrist for their support, and encouraged others to be open to conversations about mental health.
Instagram/mali.smarzek
Mental health is just as important as physical health
It's important to remember that mental health is just as crucial as physical health. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 4 people worldwide will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives, and seeking help, whether through therapy or support networks, can be life-changing.
Exploring online resources, such as those offered by experts at Yale Medicine, can be beneficial.
Source: Instagram/mali.smarzek/YouTube/Yale Medicine
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