In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month 2020, this May, ESPN highlights the stories of athletes, coaches and other sports figures managing their mental health and well-being. These stories reflect a broad range of subjects and experiences, including new challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing. The hope is that these stories […]
Former ASU guard Robbi Ryan goes public with her mental health issues
As Robbi Ryan’s mental health improved over her final two years at Arizona State, she wanted a way to share her journey, both for herself and to help others. How to do so, and the timing, were the unknowns. Then Ryan’s basketball career ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic, which during the ensuing self-isolation […]
Tennessee QB Brian Maurer planned suicide in January, seeking treatment
Tennessee quarterback Brian Maurer, hoping to bring awareness to the importance of mental health, on Friday detailed in an Instagram post that he was planning to kill himself on Jan. 22 before receiving a phone call from his mother that day. “I thought I lost my battle with depression and my pain had come to an end,” […]
HANNA HALL: ‘I STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS EVERY DAY’
THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GUARD REVEALS HER BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA. Hanna Hall was one of the great contributors in the University at Buffalo women’s basketball run to the NCAA tournament last season. But in her case, there’s so much more to the story. “Coach made me start seeing a psychologist at school. I […]
Finding Hope – CNN Special Report
The recent deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have raised awareness about suicide. Anderson Cooper explored the issue during a town hall on Sunday June 24th.
HOW KEVIN LOVE TURNED HIS STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL HEALTH INTO HIS LIFE’S PURPOSE
As a part of Mental Health Awareness Day, the [Kevin Love Fund] announced that UCLA, where Love played briefly, will receive 850 Headspace subscription donations and in-person mental training sessions for their student-athletes and coaches. The popular app provides guided meditations aimed at helping reduce stress, anxiety and depression. He was inspired to partner with […]
ATHLETES OFTEN STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND BEING GAY COMPOUNDS IT
Athletics has always been a huge part of my life, tennis and baseball in particular. From as early as 6 years old, I was ingrained with the importance of having thick skin and being tough in order to be successful in athletics. Beginning in Little League baseball, I was taught that as a boy in […]
EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING
On November 5th, right after halftime against the Hawks, I had a panic attack. It came out of nowhere. I’d never had one before. I didn’t even know if they were real. But it was real — as real as a broken hand or a sprained ankle. Since that day, almost everything about the way […]
EVEN THE BEST FALL DOWN SOMETIMES
Michael Phelps is one of the most decorated athletes of all-time, with an all-time best 18 Olympic Gold Medals to along with a laundry list of world records and other accomplishments. Phelps is also human, which makes him susceptible to struggle, something he knows intimately. In a very candid story from Sports Illustrated, Phelps opens […]
NCAA’s Active Kills Leader ‘Good to Go” After Withdrawing from School to Take on Depression
Taylor Louis is focused on helping the Hawkeyes earn an invitation to the NCAA tournament. Taylor Louis first spotted the stat on Instagram. Her 1,534 career kills make her the leader in that category among active players heading into the 2018 NCAA volleyball season. But the Iowa senior almost wasn’t the active leader. Louis, in […]