An Olympic Athlete Takes on Depression (Feat. Raven Saunders) | PBS Short Docs

[@Swagtildawn]

What a beautiful soul. Just remember you don't know what everyone is going through so try to be kind to everyone.

[@ForestFire369]

Not gonna lie, my jaw hit the floor when she mentioned her maximum weights... But then it really put some things into perspective for me, that even someone as cool as her could go through some of the same struggles as me. This is beautiful

[@veganpotterthevegan]

She's definitely strong. You have to be to throw as far as she does. But those are numbers with a bench press shirt and squat suit. Her raw bench is probably less than 350 and her squat is probably under 550 or 500.

[@DrBear-rk4qb]

Raven Saunders, thank you for being vulnerable enough to share your story. ❤️

[@flymypg]

Great job, Raven! Same to you, PBS Voices. So many stories of depression stay hidden, making each an island. Stories like this show we're not that different, no matter how it may seem in the moment. I share my story every chance I get, but I only reach one at a time. This video is needed. Not just so everyone knows more about depression, but so those with depression know it's not a dead-end path. Well done!

[@danriddick914]

This is the definition of a true champion. Someone strong on the field, strong off the field, who knows how and when to ask for help. You have an amazing story - thanks for sharing.

[@Hillers62]

True...you don't have to win first place to be a champion...

[@LiveLaughCheer15]

This..honestly

[@jedminor6128]

This is great work Raven and PBS. Thank you

[@genghisbunny]

Thank you for sharing your journey. Very bold to be so honest.

[@Erik-pu4mj]

If this were me, I'd end up in the comment section of this video. Don't know when, but I'd check it more than once. Vulnerability is memorable. Raven, if you find this, I guess I just want to give you something to find in here. It really struck me when I realized we were the same age. That, while my depression had me dropping out of college, you were working on the Olympics. That, while I...got immensely lucky in that I finally had time to process, you were still right in the middle of it. And I'm glad you got the chance to do the same. I don't think it's ever over-that we ever get to finally declare we're recovered. I'm still terrified I'm falling for the same mental traps that destroyed me, even as I go back to school and things feel more okay than not. But I'm glad it happened-past tense-because I feel like I know how to get up again whenever life inevitably finds a way to knock me down. If there's one thing I could wish for you, it's that feeling. Anyway, keep going. You got this.

[@Hillers62]

Been there...including hospitalization in 2007...hard..no other word...I'm glad she got through it...she is as powerful mentally as she is physically...and I will be cheering for her in Tokyo!!!

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

A good day is one where I forget to consider ending it. A bad day is one where I hold my breath and wait for a good day. The last two days I thought it was over. Today I know it's not.

[@danriddick914]

Hang in there ❤️

[@Giveme1shot__]

🥺 pleeeease continue to fight. I am happy you’re still here with us 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Mortis33-o4b]

Disgusting

[@toyeranichel]

So happy you got the necessary help and advocate now not just for your own mental health but on the importance of mental health in general!🙏🏾 You are EXCEPTIONAL Raven!!!! Don’t ever forget that! We’ll be cheering you on as you venture off to Paris!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Let’s Goooo!!!

[@ashleyarnold3248]

Completely relatable. I too picked up shot put and discus and that moment stepping in the circle helped as young as 6th grade made me face all the things that I struggled with I didn’t even know about and help me push through everything that held me back. Getting out the circle and dealing with things was hard after school but eventually I overcame. Over 15 years later I want to just pick up a shot put or discus and do it again. A victory throw. When I used throw and vulnerable being a big built female. It wasn’t popular part of track and field but I have all respect for those who did. We were tough too and yes we definitely had a way of showing off in different way with our style. Love this!

[@j.megatron]

Can't watch without crying

[@watson494]

I have been there, I wish you all love in this world, you are an awesome person! Best wishes from Brazil.

[@jordanmerchant8757]

As a former shot putter, albeit an average one at best, it's difficult to transition when the season is over. I currently work in the mental health field and i wonder if she feels that her identity has become the shot put. Her self worth is directly correlated to her performance? She bulked up at a young age to protect her mom and was fortunate enough to channel that power and rage into the shot put. Then, at her wrakest moment she's in a psychiatric facility and I wonder if anybody talked to her about throwing? I wouldn't. I would want to talk to her about anything and everything besides throwing. She needs to know that she has value and that she is loved. I knew nothing about her up until 2016. Good luck Raven. Give em heck and what ever happens just remember that your a champion.

[@drshemp1]

Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you the best to you and yours. Love.

[@Boutys_mom]

So glad I watched this video. Thank you for sharing this part of your life Raven

[@VNoche]

Thank you for sharing this story

[@JustMeJH]

You’re strong in so many ways to share your experiences with everyone. Thanks. Good luck in your future!

[@jaedubbo]

Raven idk if you'll ever see this but I just want to thank you so so much for being vulnerable and sharing your vulnerability with us. I've struggled with depression and sometimes still do have rough periods, but with medicine, therapy, and creative outlets I have been able to stay afloat even on the roughest days. Take your breaks when you need them and remember to show yourself grace. Continue to reach out to your loved ones because I know you got a whole community of people ready to listen to you and show you love. I look forward to sharing this video with the students I work with because so many of them are experiencing depression but they may not know the term or they may believe they're the only ones to feel it. Some may even think they don't deserve to feel depressed because they have roofs over their heads, but that doesn't keep depression away, especially if there's so many other things going on in a young person's life. So thank you again

[@KyDarknight]

Thank you for uploading this! Raven is wonderful! I needed to hear this.

[@gradualuprisintheory]

Raven! Thank you for another day. What a great story. Thank you Raven for your dedication to you.

[@F_L_U_X]

I can't watch this whole video. I got to 1:02. It's bringing up some bad stuff in my head, but I hope that Raven and you guys in the comments that can relate have some peace some day. :)

[@jamesberkeley390]

This is an amazing video and she is a great athlete

[@soundwave6189]

That's good that she shared alot of people should instead of being evil to people that they don't know🙋🏾‍♀️

[@sukhrajnagra6782]

God bless Raven

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

This is a beautiful bio that we will one day be looking back on

[@rockinbobokkin7831]

Depression sucks. Best wishes to you.

[@dynlenoir]

I think depression or any other mental or physical ailments are just a part of us and not ALL of who we are. We all try to deal with the issues in different ways. Help those who you can, and seek help if you need it, even if you don't feel you need it. And knowing how, where and whom to ask for help is sometimes the greatest hurdle. But hopefully we manage to have some form of semblance of normalcy in our lifetime.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

That was really touching. Thank you for sharing!

[@cetaceans4progress375]

This was beautiful we are rooting for you, Raven!! thank you for sharing your story with us & reminding us of the importance of mental health.

[@leliel12th43]

Wow! This is great and deep.

[@j.megatron]

She's my hero. Megatron loves her. I bet they wont put they paws on moma no more

[@TheGatewayProductions]

Huge thanks for this video! Depression is horrible but we can fight it!

[@tylerrhudy6043]

You rock, Raven, and you have overcome much in your life.

[@nostaljiq]

Love this!! So glad you sought therapy and began the work to heal from your past. Glad you got back to training! Glad to see you compete and win silver!! Glad you represented your country AND your respective communities!! If you felt disrespected, that's a personal problem. Glad you twerked!! That's a cultural thing. If you didn't like it, you're not in the culture. Hope to see you take gold one day! Keep shining Hulk 💪🏾 #GeecheeStrong

[@surgec]

Inspiring story!

[@piotrd.4850]

Bench pressing 480 pounds ... that's 200+ kg. FRAQ!!!!

[@yasmini.alamin6031]

I just wanna say she is so so gorgeous. I know I know thats far from the point. But her sitting in there talking she has such beautiful skin and a gorgeous hair cut and smile. Like wowza I didnt know.anything about her story but it is so nice to.see the light in her and her strong beauty shining

[@kurei0.]

I really needed this. thanks!

[@GeoffreyBronson]

Don't worry that you didn't win! You showed grace and respect at the Olympics and the nation is proud of you for it!

[@GeoffreyBronson]

@ZNIS entertainment ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@CatLoverx900]

PBS doesn’t have a bias!

[@Ruby_V_]

Thought provoking story. Two questions come to mind for me: (1) why hospital? I don't think it's okay that the best help she can get when she reaches out for it is hospitalization. Supposedly this video trying to destigmatize mental health but still putting out this message that if you struggling you belong in a hospital. (2) why separate identities? From how this was portrayed, it gives impression that she is being told to reject an important part of who she is. A part of her that gives her strength contemplating her resilience. Maybe she felt like that's all she could be I suppose. But framing that as a battle? Suggesting that she still has bouts of depression because she hasn't fought hard enough? I don't think that's a very positive or healthy message. I hope the best for her.

[@danriddick914]

To your first point, who's to say being in a mental hospital should be stigmatized? I've been there and regardless whether I believe it was justified or not, it can give a true perspective for what actually matters - and even more-so it can give people the sense of getting a second chance when that person may not feel like a second chance could even exist. To your second point I simply entirely disagree - does she look like she's given up her strength or resilience in this video? I'm curious what gives you that impression. Depression is a real thing that I would say most (if not all) of us experience.

[@Giveme1shot__]

The mental hospital was exactly what I needed in the moment. I had no outside distractions whatsoever and eyes on me 24/7. I had a therapist to talk to and I didn’t feel judged bc everyone in there understood me but didn’t know me and I didn’t feel judged or afraid to open up. Depression isn’t something that just goes away. It comes and goes in waves and we all have our different journeys and ways we find to cope with it. I’m no different from anyone else.

[@Hillers62]

I was hospitalized because I had thoughts of suicide...they sedated me, helped me, gave me counseling, medication, and was there to get me through everything...this wasn't the kind of hospital you might be thinking of...it is the mental health ward that are in many hospitals...As for the two identities...we all have them...we usually don't act the same way at work as we do at home...her two identities were one as an everyday person, and a second one (the Hulk) for when she is in competition...which is important...It gives focus...

[@Ruby_V_]

@@Giveme1shot__ @Dan Riddick @Hillers62 Admittedly I don't know very much about inpatient mental health care and it didn't even process for me at time of writing that the level of care could be so useful. I just know a few people who had really bad experiences and I didn't think twice about it. I guess I'm just concerned with this narrative that seems present from the editing that she was 'broken', then went to a hospital and got 'fixed', now is better because she 'fought' her internal 'broken-ness'. Maybe I'm just reading into that differently from most people though. I appreciate these replies expanding my perspective.

[@amyholcomb6484]

@@Giveme1shot__ Thank you for sharing your story. I'm thankful you reached out and received care.💚

[@ryibmu]

Happy you good! I suffered from depression the way I got out was to find something I loved and did it through helping other people. Doing things for other people and seeing then smile is what keeps me alive and happy

[@anhuar161294]

You're so aspiering, thank you ❤️

[@chelseab.2949]

Raven Saunders, WE love you sis!!!!

[@edpugh2997]

Beautiful

[@llml9943]

Praise God God got you keep your head up

[@sunset33533]

The mindfulness book "30 Days to Reduce Depression" by Harper Daniels has good meditation exercises to practice.

[@Nowimlivinginthecreek]

But then you protested on the podium, against IOC rules….

[@sdharristhrow]

And

[@jasonjkmulcahy]

Oh, wow. Amazing athlete, beautiful human! Bring it on for Tokyo, Raven. ♥️🇯🇵

[@philsophkenny]

❤❤❤

[@dipdo7675]

With her suspension looks like she was taking something else…

[@IgorGutman]

This is the American endgame and they want to force it on the whole world.

[@luvvinlovelock7254]

I just don't want to say anything because if I do I'll regret it. I'm not mad anymore about not watching the Olympics

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

People that brainwashed to vote for democrat or republicans are evil...

[@smckay6438]

She just protested on the Olympics medal platform in violation of Olympic rules ! She needs to have her medals taken and be banned for life ! From competing !

[@sethgordon2003]

Relax!

[@smckay6438]

@@sethgordon2003 no , it is a disgrace to our country! F it

[@beverlyx9546]

Great Interview ❤👑

[@lenamayduzen1408]

She's incredibly beautiful inside and out. God bless her strength and determination

[@marlonramanan9112]

Silver Medalist Tokyo 2020! Congrats!

[@shadeshadyshade254]

Breaking rules on the podium now. USA is doing so well lol

[@comfortablynumb7398]

Happy she lost

[@FamousStarz007]

❤🙌🏾❤

[@shadeshadyshade254]

Hmmm..breaking the rules on the podium now. Shocking.

[@russellziske7385]

Another doping scandal 🙄

[@rickhibbett2288]

She lost me at 480 pound bench press....No way she benches that. April Mathis holds American record at 457 and is full of steroids.....Lie to me at the jump and your story is over.

[@MrDeshrine]

Benched 480lb. I'm sorry, that's a blatant lie.

[@shadeshadyshade254]

Ya..I gotta see that as well.

[@TheKraft85c]

Juice make Depression

[@bioxgremlin87]

She's amazing.

[@l.hbravo8828]

Ne gra mal dita

[@persevere6326]

Brave

[@GS-hf2km]

Very strong for a girl?????? You are not a girl!

[@jondickenson8068]

lol another victim yawn

[@NEnigma777]

I thought Raven doesn’t identify as a “girl”?! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ClaireFrances]

That's a man.

[@canuck21]

🤮

[@jessicacooper3236]

I'm soooo proud to be Gullah!!! #GullahGeechee #SC

[@note4note804]

This is unironically just Mr. Peanut Butter being the face of depression. Wow, someone with incredible determination, willpower and success got sad for a little while. It's okay, they got better though. What a powerful and relatable story...

[@stadbab]

come on, dude. i've been mentally ill my whole life, there's no such thing as the perfect 'face of depression.' your life's circumstances don't dictate your mental health. she clearly had a traumatic childhood, just because she found success that doesn't mean you get to delegitimize her experience with depression. everyone should feel able to share their experience with mental illness without fear of being judged.

[@note4note804]

Yeah...no one's dumping on her. I'm dumping on the media that pretends she's anything else than another person dealing with a disease. Thus the Mr. Peanut Butter reference. The very fact that the two people who responded state it's an affliction you've dealt with for a long long time have their representation hurt by a story that paints depression as something you have, get treated, and move on from. The ending makes it sound like she's won. She can't be fazed, and can do anything she wants, which in her case is the Olympics. Makes a normal person with depression who's still struggling look weak, and as someone who has family suffering from it, party because the rest of the family dumps on them for being unable to move on, it's not inspiring, it's demotivating.

[@danriddick914]

​@@note4note804 ​So I guess you have issue with the brief reference at 8:20 to her still suffering from depression? To me this is a story about learning how to cope with depression - not about someone who 'beat' it.

[@note4note804]

​@@danriddick914 With the way it's framed, yes. It's a token line, mashed between two different comments about how she's better now and she can do anything. Without "minimizing someone's experience", I don't know how you can still suffer from depression and manage one of the most rigorous demanding training schedules, and the problem is that's because they don't focus on that at all. At best, this paints depression like cancer, something that you beat, but maybe it might sneak up on you sometime maybe again.

[@danriddick914]

@@note4note804 I disagree, of course depression is a spectrum that affects everyone differently; she's just sharing her story of how she's learned to cope with her depression. It's not a blanket statement that every case of depression is equal - it's simply intended to inspire and provoke thought.

[@chatty2164]

Sad to think a mother would put her children in danger like this.