Simone Biles & The Mental Health Shift

25 Jul 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief YouTube discussion, the speakers reflect on Simone Biles' decision to withdraw from Olympic events for mental‑health reasons, noting that the public largely applauded her choice and expressed gratitude. They observe a gradual rollback of stigma surrounding mental‑health help, contrasting contemporary attitudes with those of older generations—specifically the Greatest and Silent Generations—who historically suppressed emotional struggles, often resorting to silence or alcohol. The conversation emphasizes the importance of openly talking about mental health to prevent personal and societal harm, urging a cultural shift toward honest dialogue.

Chapters

Simone Biles, one of the most accomplished Olympians of all time, I think by the general public is applauded for bowing out of some of the competition in the prior Olympics for mental health. She was so recognized. She was at and continues to be at the pinnacle of success. And in that moment she says, I can't do this right now. My perception is the world applauded her. They said, my God, thank you.
I do feel like the stigma is rolling back just a little bit that people had about others seeking mental health help.
My wife and I were talking about the Greatest Generation, which I think your parents were just on the cusp of that. My parents too. My dad was in World War II, and that was kind of the time frame. My mother was in Germany when they were getting bombed in World War II. I heard a different term for them, not the Greatest Generation, but the Silent Generation.
That was mental health back in the day.
Shut it down, shut up, and if you got to drink it away. I think that's been a huge development for humanity, is we gotta talk about this and let the steam out, because otherwise you're going to harm yourself or harm others.
Yeah, absolutely.