Lando Norris thinks that his willingness to speak out about mental health in Formula One would inspire others to speak up and be more open of their own struggles.
The McLaren driver has admitted to having problems coping with the expectation to achieve at such a young age during his early F1 career.
However, after working with both an excellent external support team and his own McLaren team, the young Briton has found his happy place and is once again enjoying grand prix racing.
While some of the world’s most famous athletes have been reluctant to speak openly about their struggles, Norris has not been shy in talking about what he has been through.
He recently discussed the matter on ITV’s popular This Morning show, and he believes it is critical that he adopts that attitude.
He believes that by speaking about his actual feelings, he will be able to help those who are afraid to speak about their issues.
Norris stated of the growing awareness of mental health issues, “I guess I am now much better than when I was two years ago. And this makes me enjoy everything a lot more. You can enjoy life a lot more as well.
“You’re not always worrying and thinking and panicking, and so on. So just the way you feel is so much better. And I think the more you see people say it, the more confidence every person has to get more help.
“For me, it’s helped me a lot. And then I know that I can help also other people. I don’t just say it because I want to tell you, I say it because I know other people struggle with it.
“So it’s also a good opportunity for me to try and help other people. And I think we also realise that these big athletes who are saying it, they don’t just say it because they want people to feel sorry for them.
“It’s because we know we can also help younger people or the people in the world to try and feel better as well.”
Norris believes that his issues were similar to those that other drivers have faced in the past, but that they were not as open about it since attitudes were different back then.
“I’m sure there’s plenty of drivers in the past which felt the same way, or athletes in the past, which felt the same way, but just never said anything,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s we’re more open nowadays, or if we’re more willing to say what we’re feeling, some of the younger drivers now?
“Still it’s not everyone. It’s not like every young driver says what they feel. It’s just been a few more recently or more athletes now, which have said it.”
He added: “But I think the more people that say it, the more people realise the consequences, and actions from other people. And social media can influence the way people feel.”
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