Sport saved Nikita Ducarroz: “Many suffer in silence because they are afraid of the reactions”

Lifesaver BMX

Young Nikita tries various therapies to control her anxiety. But what really helps is exercise. The Swiss-American quickly developed a great passion for the small bicycle. “This passion has helped me fool my brain. I had so much fun on the BMX that I dared to go outside again. To practice tricks, to get better and better.”

At school, she gives a lecture titled “How BMX Changed My Life” and is open about her fear. She uploads the video of the lecture on Facebook and immediately receives a deluge of positive reactions. “Suddenly there were all these people who had experienced very similar things and wanted to share their stories with me. It was like a door opened.”

Not an isolated case

Mental health becomes Ducarroz’s constant companion. On social media she tries to show a little more reality. She also writes about the less pleasant things in her career and openly says that depressive periods are also part of her life. “It’s not like I’ve only healed now that I’m a professional BMX athlete,” she says. She travels all over the world for sports. It often happens that she feels panic rising during a trip. “Now I have the anxiety under control enough that I don’t break down completely.” It helps her to think about the upcoming match.

Very few in Switzerland speak as openly as the BMX athlete. Gymnast Ariella Käslin or soccer player Ciriaco Sforza, for example, both did it after the end of their careers. Ducarroz is far from alone with her psychological problems. One in six people in Swiss competitive sport show moderate to severe symptoms of depression. Every fifth athlete in Switzerland suffers from sleeping or eating disorders. A study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen EHSM came to this frightening result a few months ago.

“Nobody Wants to Whine”

So why doesn’t an athlete talk about the mental challenges that life as an elite athlete brings? Nikita Ducarroz has her suspicions. First, there is the stigma. “I, too, am always concerned that my statements on the subject of mental health could be misunderstood. If a successful and popular top athlete says that life is not easy for him, when at first glance he actually lacks nothing, then that is quickly interpreted as nagging.” Whoever complains seems weak. Hardly anyone wants to show weakness. Many athletes suffer in silence, afraid of the reactions.

Secondly, it is about understanding among the population. Ducarroz uses a simple equation: “If someone has never broken a leg, they can still imagine how painful it must be.” But what does depression, an anxiety disorder, feel like? You only understand that when you have experienced it yourself.

So far, the BMX pro has received nothing but encouragement for her open approach to the subject. But Ducarroz notes that the more popular and successful the athletes are, the more hateful comments they make. She cites as an example the American gymnast Simone Biles, who ended the Olympic Games in Tokyo surprisingly early because of mental problems.

Mind Tricks project

To bring attention to the topic of mental health in competitive sports, Nikita Ducarroz and a friend launched the “Mindtricks” social media project. On the Instagram channel, athletes share their very personal stories about mental health. “People should see that these cool athletes, maybe even sports role models, also have problems with their psyche. And that it’s really good to talk about it.”

Because the BMX freestyler always emphasizes one thing. Talking about it helps. Ducarroz would like to see better mental health care, especially for top athletes. The visit to the team psychologist should become a fixed date in every athlete’s calendar. And no emergency contact point when it’s almost too late. Because: “As an athlete you are driven to deliver top performances. You do everything you can to keep your body fit and healthy. It would certainly be worth investing some time in mental health.”