Victoria Arlen, the Olympic gold medalist and former contestant on “Dancing with the Stars,” is using her platform to raise awareness about mental health during National Suicide Prevention Month. Reflecting on her own harrowing experiences, Arlen is dedicated to helping others by sharing the purpose she has found in her struggles.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Victoria-Arlen-092926-fe011f4de8a545a6a66790fa46087b8d.jpg)
Arlen’s rise to fame has been characterised by resilience and an incredible journey of recovery. After battling the debilitating effects of two rare neurological disorders – transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis – she spent four years in a “vegetative state” from the age of 11. Her recovery has been labelled a “miracle,” leading her to win gold at the 2012 Paralympic Games and later pursue a career as a sportscaster.
Despite the accolades and public recognition, Arlen reveals that the intense focus on her recovery often obscured her personal challenges. “I never really had time to deal with it or talk about it,” she said, reflecting on how her trauma was perceived as a “glamorised” story. This pressure to maintain a façade of success became overwhelming, particularly as she faced mental health struggles that were, for many years, hidden from view.
Beginning in 2010, Arlen’s mental health deteriorated, marked by severe anxiety, depression, PTSD, and panic attacks. A turning point arrived in 2021 when she reached a breaking point, feeling she was not permitted to have a bad day despite her inner turmoil. “On the outside, there was so much success, but on the inside, I was just at a breaking point,” she said.
In July of that year, after suffering a series of panic attacks, Arlen contemplated taking her own life. However, a late-night phone call to her mother changed the course of her life. “I can’t do this anymore,” she recalled telling her mother, who instead of panicking, provided the love and support Arlen desperately needed. “It’s okay to not be okay,” her mother said, a simple yet profound statement that offered solace and encouragement.
From that moment, Arlen sought the help she had long avoided. She began to open up about her struggles and started seeing a therapist, learning essential coping strategies. “Surviving is something that happens out of your control, for the most part. But actually healing, that’s a choice you have to make,” she explained.
In December 2022, however, Arlen faced yet another setback when she suffered a serious relapse of her neurological conditions. This time, she was confronted with fear and frustration, having to navigate life once again without her mobility. Though it was a difficult period, she acknowledged that each relapse equipped her with more tools to manage her mental health than before, highlighting the importance of support and self-advocacy in her recovery.
Arlen’s latest initiative involves her new book, “The View Is Worth It: Unlocking the Beauty in Life’s Peaks and Valleys,” in which she documents her experiences and insights. “I think mental health is just a constant muscle you work,” she noted, emphasising the need for ongoing dialogue about mental wellbeing. Her message is clear: no one should have to endure their struggles in silence.
Arlen urges others to check in on their friends and loved ones more genuinely, advocating the importance of asking questions that go beyond surface-level conversation. “I started asking people, ‘How are you doing?’ and I’d ask that question twice because the second answer is usually different than the first,” she said.
Her advocacy is part of a broader movement to normalise discussions around mental health, especially in high-achieving individuals. Arlen stresses that it’s entirely possible to be successful while grappling with personal challenges. “It is okay to struggle,” she reiterated, as she aims to connect with those facing similar battles.
As her journey continues, Arlen stands as a beacon of hope for many, demonstrating that healing is a process, one that requires courage, support, and a willingness to face the painful realities of life. For anyone experiencing emotional distress or contemplating suicide, resources are readily available, such as the 988 Lifeline, which offers support 24/7.
Through her words and actions, Victoria Arlen is not only sharing her story but also fostering a vital conversation on mental health, highlighting that it is possible to rise above adversity and find purpose in one’s pain.