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The figurative armor he forced himself to wear was a survival mechanism. When he began to find success in the world of football and no longer spent days worrying about whether he would have food to eat, Obada realized that his approach to his mental health – or lack thereof – was taking a toll.
“I would just focus on the physical, on being an athlete, and my mind and my mental well-being was something that I neglected,” Obada said. “I struggled with the media. I couldn’t even make eye contact, and I would run from my story, and I would hide from it.”
As he grew older and gained new perspectives, his mindset began to change. He began to feel comfortable talking to others, sharing what he was going through and what was stressing him.
“I’m actively dealing with my mental issues, and I’m actively seeking help,” Obada said. “And it’s honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life, and I wish I’d made that decision sooner.”
A major breakthrough for the 30-year-old came when he stood up to speak about his life story in front of his fellow commanders.
“I felt vulnerable, but I was able to share and with that, it was very therapeutic for me,” Obada said.
Whether it’s sharing with the entire football team or a therapist, Obada believes in the power of talking about challenges and leaning on others. She hopes that by bringing some awareness to an organization like MIND, others will see that there are resources out there to help.
“There is strength in sharing and being vulnerable,” Obada said. “There is nothing like suffering in silence. I want to change the narrative and I want to break the stigma around mental health.”
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