Mental Health Awareness Month: Q&A with Zana Evans

Cross country skier Zana Evans was an ambassador in the Australian Institute of Sport's 2022-23 Mental Fitness Program, delivered in partnership with the Black Dog Institute.

The program sees current and former elite athletes deliver powerful talks to high school aged people about how to keep mentally fit through sharing evidence-based research and stories of resilience.

Since the program launched, athlete ambassadors have delivered presentations to more than 35,000 students across the country.

With October being Mental Health Awareness Month, we caught up with Zana to find out more about the program and advice she has for anyone concerned about the mental health of themselves or those close to them.

Q: How have you enjoyed your experience delivering the Mental Fitness Program?
A: A few things come to mind. I am one of the younger presenters, so delivering these presentations particularly to students in Years 10-12 was sometimes difficult and a bit scary. But after a few presentations, I could find my groove and tailor some information and presentation styles. In saying this, since I have recently finished school, I could really be in tune with the information and how to be engaging. So I found these presentations really rewarding I’d say. 

Q: Why was it important for you to get involved? What makes you passionate about mental health?
A: For me, probably like many other athletes, this is a very personal reason. I think the importance of mental health to me became really important when I was overseas for four months just as COVID began to die down. In saying this, being overseas, with a team, and having all the COVID protocols was really stressful. I think kind of seeing the breakdown of my mental health upon return to Australia really made me aware of how I had to fix it. When you have to compete, but also study and sit exams you have to have a really strong and fit mind, so I think this is also why I became really passionate. 

Q: Athletes in your sport spend a lot of time away from home. Have you experienced the importance of maintaining good mental health first-hand, or witnessed what others have gone through?
A: This question is too true!! 2021-2022 season I spent four months overseas. We also had lots of COVID protocols, which made for a really stressful period too. I also had begun my Year 12 online, since I didn’t return until March. So I can comfortably say that maintaining good mental health was really important for me, especially finishing my season at Junior Worlds. I really believe in the importance of mental health before competitions or exams too. I think if you’re overly stressed, or anxious your results won’t be at their best. You need to sleep well and smile lots to perform well. 

Q: Why are athletes well-positioned to talk through the challenges of mental health with students?
A: I think this is because athletes push not only their physical limits during competition and training, but their mental limits too. I have had plenty of training sessions and races where it’s not my body that’s had enough, but my mind. So learning how to be more headstrong is really important for athletes. We collect these tips and tricks to keep this strong mindset, that should be shared with others. 

Q: What message would you give to someone who may be struggling with mental health - depression, motivation, body issues, etc - in terms of the steps they could take to get back on track?
A: Firstly, I think it’s really about recognising that having “mental health issues” isn’t this really new thing and can be spoken about much more easily. In fact, it should and can be parralleled to having a physical injury, one that with the right rehab and TLC will get better. Then talk. Talk to family, friends, about these issues. It’s not a battle you have to fight in your own. One other thing I’d say, is to do things you enjoy. I know after going through rough phases in my mental health, more in the short term, I’d do something to treat myself, go for coffee, go thrifting - really look after yourself.