Missy Franklin, Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder, shared some mental health advice on Monday as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. Franklin, who has been open with her mental health struggles in the past, stated that she writes lists of gratitude daily to remind herself of things she is grateful to have in her life. She also talked about how taking a bath is therapeutic for her and is something she does “almost daily” to help with her anxiety, which she has dealt with for several years now.
Missy Franklin teamed with the Child Mind Institute, which launched #WeThriveInside, a timely and empowering response to the unprecedented challenges facing American children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Institute features a wide range of voices that have struggled with mental health issues in the past including Franklin, actor Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, basketball player Kevin Love and musician Lindsey Sterling.
“In these uncertain and uniquely stressful times, it is critical for families – and especially children – to know that they are not alone,” said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, president of the Child Mind Institute. “#WeThriveInside not only offers support and encouragement, it points parents to critical, evidence-based resources that can help millions of families better navigate unprecedented challenges. Most of us are struggling, but we can help each other discover new ways not just to persevere, but to thrive and grow from this experience.”
Missy Franklin swam in two Olympic Games, winning both the 100 and 200 backstroke in the 2012 London Games when she was just 17. She went on to swim two years at Cal Berkeley, winning four individual titles and also helping the Golden Bears to the national title in 2015. Her 200 freestyle American record set in 2015 is the oldest yards American record still standing.
Franklin retired in December 2018 and has continued to stay involved in a vast amount of projects, giving back to the swimming community.
Another of Franklin’s Olympic teammates, Michael Phelps, also shared some of the struggles he has gone through in the last few months with the quarantine.