Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has pleaded with the media to shine a bigger spotlight on mental health issues for elite athletes and members of society in general.
Mokwena made the request in a virtual press conference on Downs’ readiness for their Nedbank Cup last-16 round clash against Botshabelo amateurs Mathaithai FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Tuesday evening .
“I spoke earlier a little bit about a pandemic that could rear its ugly head in SA football, but there is one already raising its ugly head and is gaining momentum in society. It is a pandemic that is affecting the poor and the rich, it does not care about your gender, your skin colour or racial ethnicity — it attacks everybody.
Mokwena said there is a stigma around speaking out on mental health issues and he believes that can only change if the topic is consistently brought into the open. Mokwena said the isolation and social distancing that came with the Covid-19 pandemic, and elite athletes having to be cocooned in quarantine settings, has worsened and escalated the situation and further isolated those who were already vulnerable.
“Spiritual health is another important thing. You don’t go to church only because you got problems and you want to pray. You go to church because you want to awaken and strengthen your spiritual self and part of your being. You can say the same about mental health.