During the conversation, Lola Fernández Ochoa shared that at first she found it difficult to remember her sister Blanca after her death, but that these memories have now taken on a different and positive nuance that allows her to smile when she remembers her. Based on this personal experience, Lola publicly emphasized the importance of speaking openly about mental health challenges and emphasized the need to raise awareness in society about mental health and create a supportive environment for athletes. According to Europa Press, these reflections took place days after the participation of her nephews Olivia and David, Blanca’s children, in the program “On Friday!” instead of. to pay tribute to his mother six years after her death. For her part, Lola appeared as a guest on the broadcast of “Fiesta” and also spoke exclusively in front of the media cameras, where she discussed the importance of providing appropriate psychological care to athletes.
According to Europa Press, Lola described the process of dealing with loss and grief following the deaths of her siblings Blanca and Paco. Remembering Paco, who was also part of a relevant saga of Spanish athletes, Lola expressed that she keeps an eye on him especially during fun activities and fondly remembers his way of enjoying life. As for Blanca, she admitted that in the first phases after her departure she felt difficulties and pain, but over time the memory of her sister brings her serenity and joy. She also shared that she believes if Blanca were alive, she would be proud of her two children, Olivia and David, and of the work of the Blanca Foundation, whose goal is to support athletes and spread the reality of mental illness.
Lola Fernández Ochoa emphasized in her statements to Europa Press that it can be difficult at first to make public situations related to psychological difficulties, as those who go through these episodes or their families may feel insecurity and shame. “At first it’s difficult because you’re a little ashamed that one of you made this decision, but they are decisions that are made and there’s nothing we can do,” Lola told the media, discreetly alluding to Blanca’s death. In this process he explained that he remained calm because he felt that he had provided the help that was possible, admitting that in hindsight it might have been useful to have had more extensive knowledge of psychology or to turn to specialized professionals, but that he had acted with the means at his disposal.
Asked along the same lines, Lola Fernández Ochoa reflected on the impact that certain recent statements have had on mental health in sport, both nationally and internationally. As he told Europa Press, he believes that American gymnast Simone Biles’ decision to temporarily withdraw from competing at the Olympics to address issues related to her mental health was a turning point and led to the issue gaining global prominence. He added that Blanca’s case was later added to this list, along with the experiences publicly shared by figures such as football player Andrés Iniesta and basketball player Ricky Rubio.
The European press reported extensively that Lola’s death of her sister was a catalyst for public discussion about mental health and contributed to the media and Spanish society’s increased focus on the issue in recent years. In their view, it is crucial to establish mechanisms to continue educational work, to make mental illnesses and suffering visible and normalize them, to stop stigmatization and to enable prevention and treatment strategies.
Within this dynamic, the Blanca Fernández Ochoa Foundation, in which Lola plays an active role, aims to promote support for athletes, a group considered particularly vulnerable due to high competitive pressures. According to Europa Press, Lola emphasized the importance of people in high-performance jobs having psychological support systems to meet emotional demands and overcome possible moments of crisis. As reported, the foundation works to create support networks and open spaces for dialogue with the aim of protecting both the physical and emotional health of athletes.
During her interventions, Lola Fernández Ochoa repeatedly emphasized the importance of speaking openly about mental health and seeking help when signs of emotional problems arise, recognizing the initial difficulty in breaking the silence and overcoming the stigma. According to Europa Press, Europa Press believes that advances in awareness and treatment of these issues not only benefit athletes, but also have an impact on society as a whole, encouraging empathy, encouraging prevention and improving the quality of life of those suffering from mental disorders.
Blanca’s enduring memory and the legacy she left behind serve as an impetus for Lola and the rest of the family to promote initiatives within and outside of the sport, Europa Press reports. Recognizing the complexity of mental illness and the impact it has on families, Lola insisted that surrounding communities must remain vigilant for signs of distress and remain ready to offer comprehensive support, including access to specialist health professionals.
In the current context, the statements of public figures have helped to change collective attitudes towards mental health. Europa Press reported that for Lola Fernández Ochoa, each personal story makes it possible to encourage more people to break the silence and look at these conditions from a perspective of understanding and normality. Blanca’s career in sport, her achievements as the first Spanish woman to receive an Olympic medal, and the subsequent creation of a foundation bearing her name have provided a favorable basis for deepening and broadening the debate to new generations.
Based on these events, the figure of Lola Fernández Ochoa and her commitment, both at the family level and within the framework of the Blanca Foundation, will be consolidated as a reference in the promotion of mental health, as Europa Press highlights, and will increase public awareness of the need to talk about these issues and provide accessible resources to those who need them, especially those faced with the demands of elite sport.
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