{"id":105686,"date":"2019-07-18T11:33:52","date_gmt":"2019-07-18T16:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/?post_type=post&p=105686"},"modified":"2025-10-02T14:34:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T19:34:01","slug":"nba-mental-health-awareness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/psychology\/nba-mental-health-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"How NBA Players Are Taking the Lead on Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the basketball playoffs attract plenty of attention during mental health awareness month in May, we\u2019d like to recognize something just as exciting: The league and its players continue to make great strides in raising awareness about the importance of mental health.<\/p>\n

In 2018 the National Basketball Player\u2019s Association (NBPA) launched a mental health and wellness program to provide players with greater access to mental health counselors; and the National Basketball Association (NBA) has transformed its Rookie Transition Program to place a greater emphasis on mental health education.<\/p>\n

However, as the faces of an iconic sport with more than 1 billion fans worldwide<\/a>, current and former NBA players have been, arguably, the most important factor in driving this awareness initiative. Their increasing willingness to share personal struggles and discuss issues often seen as taboo in elite sports can help others feel more comfortable about opening up or seeking treatment.<\/p>\n

Below, we highlight some specific examples of NBA players helping to raise awareness and break down the stigma around mental illness.<\/p>\nRequest info<\/a>\n

DeMar DeRozan opens up on Twitter<\/h2>\n

Prior to the 2018 NBA All-Star game, Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan opened up to his 600,000 Twitter followers with a seven-word tweet about his struggles with mental illness:<\/p>\n

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This depression get the best of me…<\/p>\n

— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) February 17, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n