When Michael Phelps opened up on helping Tiger Woods. (Images by Getty) — When Michael Phelps (L) opened up on helping Tiger Woods (Images by Getty)

“I feel like that’s a massive scream for help" - When Michael Phelps extended his support to Tiger Woods amid major struggles

Modified Jun 13, 2025 14:03 GMT

Michael Phelps once reflected on the support he extended to Tiger Woods when the golfer suffered from anxiety. Woods experienced an episode of depression after he was arrested on DUI charges in May 2017.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detected five different drugs in Woods' system when he was found asleep on the wheels of his Mercedes-Benz on a Florida roadway. Phelps, who had experienced the same setback, empathized with Woods' mental struggle. The former swimmer was arrested on DUI charges in 2004 and 2014. Following his second offense, he pleaded guilty and avoided jail time but was placed on probation.

Phelps then opted for 45 days of inpatient treatment in Arizona. In an interview with nytimes.com in 2017, Phelps, a passionate advocate of mental health, acknowledged Woods' plight and lent his helping hand.

“I want to be able to get out in public and talk and say, ‘Yes, I’ve done these great things in the pool, but I’m also a human,” Phelps said. “I’m going through the same struggles as a lot of the people in this room.”

Phelps opened up on casually helping Woods, stating the golfer needed support.

“I feel like that’s a massive scream for help,” Phelps added.

"I’m constantly learning. I’m constantly growing" - When Michael Phelps opened up about the method he used in his mental health journey

Michael Phelps at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Getty Images)

Michael Phelps once opened up about the method he used during his mental health journey. In an interview with Healthline.com in 2020. He stated that his mental health journey was a learning process, and he had to rely on the trial-and-error method. Phelps' mental health journey continued even after he retired from the sport after the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"It was kind of trial and error that we had to figure out a way to get there. So, for [my mental health] …I can’t expect to have every answer today, but I also have to give myself forgiveness because I’m still learning and at times that is hard,” Phelps said. "[I] want to be as perfect and I want to learn as fast as I can, but at times, that’s not possible. I’m constantly learning. I’m constantly growing."

Although Michael Phelps navigated instances of anxiety and depression multiple times throughout his career, he always received steadfast support from his wife Nicole.

About the author

Janhavi is a Sports Management graduate working as a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda. She emphasizes meticulous research and fact-checking before creating content, relying on multiple sources including social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, as well as various sports publications.

She has competed in the 10m Air Rifle Shooting event at the national level alongside renowned athletes such as Anjali Bhagwat, Apurvi Chandela, and Anjum Moudgil, which further fueled her passion for the sport.

Abhinav Bindra is her favorite Olympian, and she particularly cherishes his and Neeraj Chopra's gold medal victories as they revolutionized Indian athletes' mindset towards achieving sporting excellence.

If given the opportunity to introduce a new sport to the Olympics, she would choose American Football for its widespread appeal and intense competition. Apart from reporting on the latest news in the world of Olympics, she likes to immerse herself in reading, painting, and traveling.

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