I think its important for athletes to lead the way in bringing out awareness of mental health. Athletes are usually perceived as well tuned, physically enhanced and talented people. Indestructible in some eyes. But too often, athletes don't go public with their mental illnesses for fear of being labeled as weak, nuts, crazy, etc. And the results, often times becomes disastrous for these individuals after they get out of the limelight.
The more people that make the public aware of the destructiveness of mental health issues, the better. Who better to lead that than people who are physically elite but suffer mentally.
Mental illness isn't the end of the world. It can be controlled. You can lead normal lives while suffering. It doesn't mean you crazy or nuts or weak or lesser of a person. You just have to be honest about yourself, seek help, get the right meds and/or therapies and you're no differet than anyone else.
I'm bipolar. I suffer from seasonal depressive disorder and have social anxiety disorder. But I am self aware and know what I have to do to be healthy. I am no different than anyone else who has a disease like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or any of dozens of other physical ailments. If you take care of yourself, you'll live a normal and hopefully long life.