Mental Health Exists in an Inseparable Bond with Performance
Most people evaluate performance through tangible achievements — winning medals for an elite athlete, performing on stage for an artist, or publishing articles for a student or academic. However, sustained success requires not only physical stamina but also mental and emotional strength.
Historically, many figures who achieved great success were recognized for their mental toughness as well as their technical abilities. Athletes in ancient Greece underwent physical training to improve athletic performance and mental stamina, while they also studied philosophy. Similarly, Renaissance artists believed that artistic talent must be combined with mental clarity for one to be considered truly creative.
How Does Mental Health Shape Performance?
Our mental state functions as an intangible factor that directly shapes and controls performance.
When anxiety and stress become excessive, they disrupt the brain’s ability to direct attention, overload memory, and reduce concentration. Working memory, one of the brain’s core executive functions, allows us to process and retain information without distraction. Research by Lukasik et al. (2019) and Moran (2016) has shown that higher levels of anxiety negatively affect working memory performance.
Similarly, depression simultaneously impacts emotions and cognitive processes. It slows down thinking, weakens motivation, and impairs skills such as information processing, concentration, and planning (Hammar & Årdal, 2009).
During prolonged stress, the brain prioritizes basic survival functions, but this hinders creative or strategic thinking (Association for Neuroscience, 2024). Consequently, innovation, problem-solving, and proactive thinking — all vital for long-term success — are restricted.
Whether in sports, academia, or art, true performance depends not only on physical or technical skills but also on an invisible internal system — mental health — that fuels it, just as an engine needs fuel to run.
The Hidden Obstacle in Sports
Athletes are often seen as having unbreakable mental strength, but data tells a different story. According to McLean Hospital (2025), 35% of elite athletes experience mental health challenges.
Simone Biles’ withdrawal from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health issues illustrated that even physically fit athletes need psychological support to perform at their best. Similarly, Michael Phelps’ openness about his depression showed that even Olympic champions face mental struggles that affect people from all walks of life (McLean Hospital, 2025).
A Baylor University study found that athletes who received Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) not only saw a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms but also demonstrated improved athletic performance — proving that mental health is a core component of success in sports.
The Unseen Costs of the Performing Arts Industry
The performing arts world carries significant hidden emotional costs. The industry’s “show must go on” mindset often forces artists to suppress their psychological distress and maintain flawless appearances on stage.
Research reveals that musicians and performing artists experience anxiety and depression at rates significantly higher than the general population (Williamon, 2024).
One of the most common issues is performance anxiety — also known as stage fright. Studies show that 95% of professional musicians experience it during their careers (Gómez-López et al., 2023).
Even world-renowned performers are not immune. Legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein admitted to struggling to breathe due to intense anxiety before concerts. Stage actors, too, often freeze out of fear of forgetting their lines.
When depression and burnout merge, artists may lose both motivation and creativity — making it impossible to continue their profession (Williamon, 2024).
Interventions: Strengthening the Mind, Improving Performance
Better mental health is a key prerequisite for better performance.
One of the most effective interventions is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Those who undergo CBT learn to replace negative thinking patterns with self-confidence and focus, which leads to lower anxiety levels and enhanced performance (Baylor University, 2024).
Another powerful approach is mindfulness. Mindfulness training strengthens concentration and stress management. Studies show that even short mindfulness interventions reduce mental workload and improve physical performance in students (Kong et al., 2025).
Performance psychology methods — such as visualization, positive self-talk, and goal setting — are also widely used by athletes, artists, and students to increase mental control and achieve superior outcomes (Abbott, 2023).
Conclusion
When athletes, students, or artists experience anxiety, depression, or burnout, their mental strength declines, leading to reduced performance.
Strong mental health is not merely supportive — it is fundamental for sustainable success, innovation, and growth.
In essence, mental health is not a barrier to performance but its foundation. The two exist in a symbiotic relationship — mental health and performance are two sides of the same coin.