Trigger warning: This article features discussion around mental health struggles and depression.
Blessings and rewards continue to rain down on Carlos Yulo weeks after he won a historic two gold medals at the Paris Olympics. On Saturday, the award-winning gymnast added P5 million more to his cache of incentives, this time from digital entertainment companies DigiPlus and ArenaPlus.
Company chairman Eusebio Tanco personally handed Yulo the check for the said amount during a press event at the Gateway Cinema in Quezon City. The Olympic medalist also renewed his endorsement contract with the company and expressed his gratitude to the company for helping him throughout his training. "Nakatulong po sila sa akin before Olympics, especially in training," he said. "I'm deeply grateful to DigiPlus and Arena Plus for their unwavering support."
READ: Carlos Yulo Opens Up About Experiencing Depression While Undergoing Training
During a short Q&A session with members of the media, Carlos opened up about the mental health struggles he faced during his training. He said the most serious bout was when he was 16 years old. "Umabot po dun sa point na na-depress ako [while training]," he said. "Gusto ko na lang mawala sa mundo."
Carlos said what helped him get through this period of depression was prayer. "Nagdasal lang ako," he said, "Medyo umokay na pagkatapos. May clarity after ko mag-pray. When I wake up, mas lively na [yung pakiramdam ko] after ko mag-pray." He added that, "Every time nalulungkot ako nagpe-pray ako."
READ: Mental Health Issues Are Common Among Elite Athletes, According to the International Olympic Committee
Mental health issues among Olympic athletes are a common but little-talked about phenomenon. The Olympics itself has acknowledged this issue in a statement issued in 2019.
"Mental health symptoms and disorders are common among elite athletes, may have sport related manifestations within this population and impair performance," the paper said. "Mental health cannot be separated from physical health, as evidenced by mental health symptoms and disorders increasing the risk of physical injury and delaying subsequent recovery."
"The IOC has committed to improve the mental health of elite athletes, recognizing that doing so will reduce suffering and improve quality of life in elite athletes and serve as a model for society at large," it added. "The IOC hopes that all involved in sport will increasingly recognize that mental health symptoms and disorders should be viewed in a similar light as other medical illnesses and musculoskeletal injuries; all can be severe and disabling, and nearly all can be managed properly by well informed medical providers, coaches and other stakeholders."
READ: What's Ahead for Carlos Yulo
Carlos has been training as a gymnast since he was a young boy and he said his ultimate dream was to compete and win a medal at the Olympics. Now that he's accomplished that, he said he plans to take a break before pushing through with training to prepare for the next competition. He will be flying to Paris this week to attend a celebratory event for Olympic athletes, as well as watch the ongoing Paralympic Games. He added that he is sure to compete at the next Southeast Asian Games, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand next year.
Carlos was also asked whether he kept track of all of the incentives that he has been receiving since winning gold at the Olympics, and he answered that he has a team helping him with financial matters but that he himself has not counted all of the prizes. The gymnast famously received a multi-million peso condominium unit from Megaworld, a new Land Cruiser from Toyota, several pledges of monetary rewards from the government and different companies and many others. Estimates of his rewards peg the total amount at over P100 million.
While Carlos says he is grateful for all the blessings coming his way, he says he is not materialistic and does not plan on buying anything right now that he used to only dream of.
"Bonus lang lahat yun," he said. "Ang mahalaga ay yung gold medals."
If you feel that you need help and advice for yourself or anyone else, please contact The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline, a 24/7 confidential services hotline for psychiatric emergencies, suicidal thoughts, depression, and other issues at (02) 7989-8727 or (0917) 899-8727 (or 0917 899-USAP). You may also reach out to the Philippine Mental Health Association at (02) 8921-4958, email them at hello@pmha.org.ph, or book an appointment on Mondays to Fridays from 8AM to 5PM at 18 East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1100. Here is a more complete list of hotlines you can reach out to for further assistance.
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