Unveiling the Unseen: Lina Magull Opens Up About Her Struggle with Depression
Former German national football team player Lina Magull is emerging from her bout with depression.
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Lina Magull, a star in the world of women's football, wore the captain's armband for German champions FC Bayern and vice-European champions with the DFB team. Yet, beneath her cheerful exterior, she battled a secret she hardly shared: depression. In a candid conversation with her football colleague Robin Gosens and moderator Nils Straatmann on the podcast "Wie geht's", she finally addressed her struggle.
Always brimming with enthusiasm, Magull admits that there were times when her inner world seemed far from the exuberance she projected. Struggling with a "severe depression", Magull realized the gravity of her situation when her thoughts became so extreme that she saw no meaning in life. Seeking help in a clinic, she faced the challenge of accepting her diagnosis: "Yes, I have a depression. A severe depression, and that's okay."
Magull's mental health troubles had begun much earlier, traced back to her move from SC Freiburg to FC Bayern in 2018 and her appointment as captain in 2020. Feeling the weight of the women's football hype after the 2022 EM, she desperately tried to please everyone. This burden affected her game and self-image, leading to private problems that further deepened her anguish.
Having reached a breaking point during the 2023/24 season, football "no longer gave [her] any pleasure at all." She left FC Bayern and moved to Milan, only to find herself in a downward spiral that eventually led to her mental breakdown. Yet, paradoxically, her "flight" accelerated her illness.
Returning to her home in Dortmund after six weeks in the clinic, Magull expresses gratitude for her treatment experience. Sleep problems, constant brooding, and negativity characterized her struggle, leading to panic and sweat attacks. The illness affected her lifestyle, rendering her unable to drive a car and causing a loss of control over her thoughts and emotions.
Seeking Help for DepressionFor those in need of assistance with depression, the German Depression Help and Suicide Prevention Foundation provides resources such as first points of contact[6]. In emergency cases, immediately contact a psychiatric clinic or call the emergency number 112. The Social Psychiatric Service offers local help for the mentally ill and their relatives[6]. The Info-Telefon Depression can be reached at 0800 - 33 44 533, while the Network for Mental Health offers support during times of crisis[7]. The Federal Association for Burnout and Depression e.V. provides information on self-help groups, consulting offers, and more on the topics of burnout and depression[8].
MAGULL'S PROGRESSReturning to football after her treatment, Magull found her place at Inter Milan and led the team to a successful season, earning the vice-champion title[9]. Off the field, she continues to advocate for mental health awareness, determined to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness in sports.
Sources: ntv.de, ara
- FC Bayern Munich
- Inter Milan
- Depression
- Football
- Women's football
- Enrichment Data: Depression among professional athletes, such as women's football players, can be triggered by various factors:
- Psychosocial stressors
- Career transition stress
- Injury and physical trauma
- Performance anxiety
- Societal expectations and stigma
- Mental blocks and performance issues
- Masculinity and gender norms.
These factors help illustrate the complex interplay of psychological, social, and physical factors that contribute to depression in professional athletes.
- Lina Magull, discussing her struggle with depression on the podcast "Wie geht's", emphasized the importance of mental health awareness in sports, stating that it's crucial to address issues like depression to break the stigma.
- In addition to her success on the football field, Magull is also an advocate for mental health, using her experience to promote vocational training and resources in health-and-wellness, including the German Depression Help and Suicide Prevention Foundation.
- As a star player in women's football, Magull's battle with depression is a reminder that even those excelling in sports can face mental health challenges, highlighting the need for wider discussions about mental health in the science of sports performance.
