Advocating For Mental Health Earns Phelps Award

BOSTON (AP) — Olympian going beyond the pool to make a deference.

 

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: (L-R) Former U.S. Representative and Founder of The Kennedy Forum Patrick J. Kennedy, Amy Petitgout-Kennedy, and 28-time Olympic Medalist Swimmer Michael Phelps were among the advocates speaking at The Kennedy Forum National Summit On Mental Health Equity And Justice In Chicago at the Chicago Hilton and Tower Hotel on January 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Kennedy Forum)

 

Michael Phelps is picking up more hardware — this time for what he's been doing outside the pool.

The Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation, a leading voice in calling for more opportunities for the disabled, said Tuesday the Olympic champion is the recipient of its fifth annual Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion.

 

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Swimmer Michael Phelps attends the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2018 at Barker Hangar on July 19, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images For Nickelodeon)

 

The foundation told The Associated Press it picked the world's most decorated swimmer of all time to recognize his advocacy for people with disabilities and "his own journey with mental health."

Phelps has gone public about his struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide.

Last year, the 23-time Olympic gold medalist announced a partnership with Talkspace , which provides online therapy for those who are going through tough times. Phelps said helping people overcome the dark chapters in their lives is "way bigger than ever winning gold medals."

 

 

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 25: Michael Phelps of Team USA looks on during the celebrity challenge match ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 25, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

 

In a statement, the 33-year-old Olympian thanked the Ruderman Family Foundation for "their continued efforts to help eliminate the shame and stigma that surrounds mental illness."

"Together, we can normalize the mental health conversation and recognize the potential in every person — with or without mental illness — to contribute to our world in their own unique way," Phelps said.

 

 

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: American swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps (L), and CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency Travis Tygart (R) testify during a hearing before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of House Energy and Commerce Committee February 28, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The subcommittee held a hearing on "Ways to Improve and Strengthen the International Anti-Doping System." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

 

The foundation works for more inclusion and opportunities for the disabled. Previous recipients of its award include Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin and former Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, of Iowa, a driving force behind the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Jay Ruderman, the foundation's president, called Phelps an example of the importance of self-care and of reaching out for help when it's needed. That helps take the stigma and shame away from mental health struggles, he said.

 

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps (R) accepts the Best Record-Breaking Performance award onstage at The 2017 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

 

Phelps "has changed the landscape of mental health awareness," Ruderman said.

Since retiring from competition after the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, the swimmer has been promoting the importance of not just physical fitness but mental health. In 2017, he was honorary chairman of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Mental Health Awareness Day.

He's also served as an ambassador for the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit group working to help children who struggle with mental health and learning disorders.

 

© 2019 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.