Breaking the Silence at the Elite Level: 2026 Winter Olympians Who Have Talked About Their Mental Health

For decades, Olympic athletes were expected to appear mentally invincible. Recently, that culture has begun to shift. More Winter Olympic athletes are publicly acknowledging mental-health struggles, helping normalize conversations that were once considered taboo.

Importantly, the athletes listed below are included only because they have personally and publicly spoken about their mental health. This is not a medical list, nor does it imply that these athletes are defined by their diagnoses.

Why Mental Health Is a Major Issue in Elite Winter Sports

Winter Olympic athletes face unique challenges:

• Long training cycles with few competitions

• Isolation during training

• Financial and sponsorship pressure

• Career-defining moments every four years

These factors make mental illness common — but historically underdiscussed.

1. Amber Glenn (USA — Figure Skating)

Amber Glenn has been one of the most open mental-health advocates among active figure skaters. She has publicly discussed living with depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and ADHD, including stepping away from skating as a teenager to focus on survival and recovery.

“I had a mental-health crisis, and I had to stop absolutely everything… I had to prioritize surviving and making it to the next day.” — Yahoo Sports interview

She has emphasized that mental illness did not disappear with success — it became something she learned to manage with therapy and support.

2. Kévin Aymoz (France — Figure Skating)

Kévin Aymoz has spoken openly about depression and emotional breakdowns during international competition seasons. He has withdrawn from events citing mental health and later returned, discussing the importance of professional psychological support.

“I was completely lost. I didn’t understand what was happening in my head anymore.” — post-competition statement

Aymoz remains active in elite competition and is part of France’s Olympic pathway.

3. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA — Alpine Skiing)

Mikaela Shiffrin has publicly discussed PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, grief-related depression, and mental blocks, particularly following the death of her father.

“It was almost as though I was no longer in control of my body. It was so frustrating. But also like … so dark.” — The Players Tribune

She has spoken about therapy, stepping back from competition temporarily, and redefining success beyond podiums — all while remaining active at the highest level.

4. Eileen Gu (China — Freestyle Skiing)

Eileen Gu has discussed post-Olympic depression, burnout, and anxiety following her historic success at the Beijing 2022 Games. While she does not label her experience as a clinical diagnosis, her descriptions align with widely recognized mental-health patterns among elite athletes.

“You can win the Olympics and still enter the deepest rut of your life, questioning your purpose.” — Fortune interview

She has spoken about emotional exhaustion, fear-based motivation, and the mental cost of constant excellence while continuing elite competition.

5. Kyrylo Marsak (Ukraine — Figure Skating)

Kyrylo Marsak has spoken about anxiety and emotional strain related to training and competing while his family remains affected by the war in Ukraine. Media coverage has noted that he sought therapy and medication to cope with the psychological impact.

“It affects the way we live, the way we think, the way we practice.” — AP News

Marsak remains active as Ukraine’s leading figure skater in the current Olympic cycle.

6. Elise Christie (Great Britain — Short Track Speed Skating)

Elise Christie has openly discussed depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and the mental toll of online abuse. While her Olympic participation has fluctuated, she has remained active in elite short-track competition and advocacy.

“I didn’t want to be here anymore. That’s how bad it got.” — BBC interview

Her disclosures helped spark broader mental-health conversations in British sport.

Why Athlete Disclosure Matters

When active Olympic athletes speak publicly about mental illness, it:

• Reduces stigma in elite sport

• Encourages early intervention

• Protects younger athletes

• Challenges the myth of mental toughness as emotional silence

Mental illness and Olympic-level performance are not mutually exclusive.

Finding Support If You’re an Athlete Living With Mental Illness

If you’re an athlete dealing with mental illness, you are not broken — and you are not alone. Mental health challenges are common in sport, especially in high-performance environments where pressure, identity, and self-worth are tightly linked to results.

Support can take many forms. Working with a licensed therapist or sports psychologist can help you develop tools for managing anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, or burnout. Many athletes also benefit from medication, which can be life-changing when prescribed and monitored appropriately. Seeking help does not mean you are weak or uncommitted — it means you are protecting your ability to continue.

If you’re part of a team or federation, you may have access to confidential mental-health services, athlete assistance programs, or medical staff trained in psychological care. If those systems feel unsafe or unavailable, independent support is still valid. Your well-being matters more than any competition calendar.

If You’re Struggling Right Now

If mental illness is making training, competition, or daily life feel overwhelming, reaching out can feel like the hardest step — but it is often the most important one.

Talking to one trusted person — a coach, teammate, family member, or friend — can be a starting point. You don’t need to explain everything perfectly. Saying “I’m not okay” is enough. From there, professional help can provide structure, relief, and perspective.

If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or feeling unsafe, immediate help is available. In many countries, crisis hotlines and emergency services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. Reaching out does not end your athletic career — in many cases, it helps save it.

Mental illness does not disqualify you from being an athlete. Support, treatment, and recovery are part of strength — not something that comes after it.