It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and if anyone feels the pressure of performing, it’s athletes. In fact, about 35% of elite athletes suffer from disordered eating, burnout, depression, or anxiety. While mental health is being discussed more and more, there’s still significant progress to be made — especially within the sports world.

Across industries, Black women have laid the groundwork for change that benefits everyone. In sports, a handful of athletes have used their platforms to highlight the importance of mental health, but none have done so as loudly and as publicly as gymnast Simone Biles, tennis star Naomi Osaka, and WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson.

🤸🏿‍♀️ Simone Biles: The aforementioned Olympian had the weight of the world on her shoulders heading into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as she was set to become the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history.

Biles’ unprecedented withdrawal — to protect her “body and mind” — sparked discussions about the sacrifices elite athletes make to perform at the highest level.

Since then, she’s prioritzed having mental health awareness and wellness included in her brand-work with companies like Athleta, while reminding her peers, like the world’s most decorated alpine skier, Mikaela Shiffrin, they aren’t alone.

🎾 Naomi Osaka: Not long before Biles, Osaka made headlines when she pulled out of the 2021 French Open to protect her well-being. Her original intention was to participate in the tourney, but not in post-match press conferences — Osaka had been suffering from depression since 2018 and limiting iteractions with media was better for her mental health.

But the tournament, which requires media appearances for athletes, fined Osaka $15,000 (!!!) and threatened suspension for skipping the presser after her first match, essentially forcing Osaka’s hand to withdraw.

The move gave rise to debates around athlete expectations, shining the spotlight once again on the need for stronger support and a better understanding of mental health in the sports world.

🏀 A’ja Wilson: Though Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to the 2020 WNBA Finals winning MVP in the process, the unprecedented “Wubble” season left her feeling “empty,” and she struggled with the immense weight of feeling like she let her team down.

Soon after, Wilson penned an emotional essay for The Players’ Tribune titled “Dear Black Women.” In it, Wilson addressed the challenges Black women in sports face including dealing with stereotypes and systemic racism, on top of the pressure to perform.

While introducing readers to the real A’ja, Wilson highlighted the importance of understanding athletes’ mental health and emphasized, once again, the burden Black women too often face in leading the way for change.