Athletes are raising awareness around an important topic affecting millions of people worldwide: Mental health.

The phrase, "it's OK to not be OK" became a pivotal quote during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when renowned gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the gymnastics team competition and the individual all-around, sending shockwaves throughout the world. 

For decades, thousands of athletes like Biles were told to shake it off or toughen up — to set aside the doubt, or the demons, and focus on the task at hand.

“I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health, and not jeopardize my health and well-being,” Biles said during the games. “It was like fighting all those demons."

Athletes right here in Ohio and beyond are feeling the same pressures every day, and while many people are making their struggles known, it also comes at a cost.

In Spectrum News 1's special "Rewriting the Playbook: Athletes and Mental Health," we go beyond the headlines to the real story, talking with high profiles coaches like Ohio State University football's Ryan Day and former U.S. Olympic Gymnast Dominique Moceanu.

Their stories, along with insights from mental health experts, shed light on the pressures faced by athletes and what's needed to support their mental well-being. 

The half-hour special will air only on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News 1 app:

Dec. 1 – 8 p.m.

Dec. 2 – 3 p.m.

Dec. 5 - 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.