A few days ago, in the middle of the international break, we heard news coming directly from Lia regarding her decision to step away from her national team and her club, to focus on her mental health. I won’t get into details because I don’t have any lol. But I did want to talk about how important this is, how brave this decision is and how I love the support she has gotten.
We all know how important mental health is. We also know how hard it can be to understand complex feelings as well as anxiety, depression and much more. It’s not easy. Sometimes the way to work on those things, to get the help we need and / or to overcome things has to do with time. Literally taking the time to do that, but often we don’t have that time… we have to work, we have families, etc.
Speaking up and expressing that you need a break is nothing short of brave. The fact that both country and club support her decision is outstanding and I’m proud of her for saying what she said and how she said it. I’m also proud of women’s football and how we have seen a few examples of these mental health breaks taken by a few players.
This is something you don’t see on the men’s side. I can’t remember the last time this was even close to being a conversation in real time. What I mean by that is that we hear men talk usually well after they retired, how X period in their lives was rough. As if it would show weakness. Ironically it would be the opposite.
Imagine the toxic dialogue something like this would awaken on social media if Toni Kroos asked for something similar. It would break the damn internet. Yet, on this side… the good side… the women’s football side, those breaks are encouraged, respected and well received.
One of the many reasons why women are the answer.
d ❤
Listen to THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
A very subjective look into AWFC 
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