May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and it ended with a huge rise in the issue of awareness, thanks to Naomi Osaka, one of the top women’s tennis players in the world who withdrew from the Frech Open Monday because of anxiety brought on by talking to the media.

Osaka had been fined $15,000 by the French Open for failing to appear at a press conference, after she had announced she wouldn’t be talking with media because of the anxiety that gives her. When other major tournament organizers threatened her with punishment if she failed honor her contractual obligation to participate in press conferences, Osaka withdrew and announced publicly she has been dealing with depression since winning the 2018 U.S. Open.

It is hard to imagine that someone as successful on the court as Osaka would have trouble answering questions behind a microphone, but that’s why the issue of mental health needs a month to draw attention to awareness. There’s no simple explanation for mental health issues. They can affect different people in different ways. These are real conditions and cause real problems, and the administrators of the Grand Slam tennis events have received a lesson on how to handle those who have them with tolerance and understanding, not threats and ultimatums.

This is a lesson that transcends sports. We could all learn something about being tolerant and understanding of those around us who may be dealing with pressures and issues.

We wish Osaka well, and applaud her courage in speaking about her situation.