DeMar DeRozan opens up about mental health: 'It's all about helping others' | ESPN

Summary

Damar Hamlin, a professional athlete, opens up about his struggles with mental health and depression, which he kept quiet for a long time. He explains that as he grew older, he realized the importance of sharing his experiences to help others who might be going through similar battles. Hamlin credits basketball as a coping mechanism that has helped him suppress his mental health issues and drive him to excel in his career. He hopes that by speaking out, he can inspire others to seek help and not feel ashamed to discuss mental health.

Takeaways

• 🏀 Damar has been open about his struggles with mental health and depression, a topic he believes is bigger than basketball.
• 🔍 He initially kept quiet about his mental health issues due to personal reasons and societal stigma.
• 🌟 Damar's decision to speak out was driven by a desire to help others who might be experiencing similar struggles.
• 🤔 He acknowledges that reaching a certain age and wanting to assist others was a turning point for him to share his experiences.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Basketball has been a coping mechanism for Damar, allowing him to focus his energy and forget about other issues.
• 🤝 Damar has received a positive response from various individuals, including professional athletes, after opening up about his mental health.
• 💪 His openness has inspired others to find the courage to accept and discuss their mental health issues.
• 👥 The support Damar received was not limited to sports figures; it came from people across different walks of life.
• 🌈 Damar feels good knowing that his actions have had a positive impact and have potentially helped others.
• 💬 The dialogue suggests that mental health is a widespread issue that needs to be addressed and discussed openly.

Q & A

What prompted Damar to open up about his mental health struggles?

Damar decided to speak up about his mental health and depression to help others who might be going through similar experiences, rather than being a selfish person focused only on his own struggles.

How did Damar initially cope with his mental health issues?

Damar used basketball as a suppression mechanism, using the sport as an outlet to focus his mind and energy, which helped him forget about other issues.

What was Damar's motivation for sharing his personal battles with mental health?

Damar's motivation was to potentially help others by sharing his experiences, hoping that his openness could inspire or give courage to those who are also struggling.

How did Damar's approach to mental health change over time?

Initially, Damar was quiet and did not want to speak about his mental health issues. However, as he grew older, he realized the importance of helping others and decided to share his story.

What was the reaction from others after Damar spoke about his mental health?

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many people, including professional athletes, reaching out to Damar, which made him feel good and validated his decision to speak out.

How has basketball been a part of Damar's mental health journey?

Basketball has been a therapeutic tool for Damar, allowing him to focus intensely on the sport and temporarily forget about his mental health issues.

What impact did Damar's openness have on others?

Damar's openness gave others the courage to accept and discuss their own mental health issues, potentially helping them to seek help or find solace in knowing they are not alone.

Did Damar receive support from other professional athletes after his revelation?

Yes, Damar received support from many people, including professional athletes, which was a significant part of the positive response he received.

What advice does Damar have for those who are hesitant to talk about their mental health?

Damar's experience suggests that sharing one's struggles can be beneficial not only for oneself but also for others, potentially inspiring them to seek help and support.

How does Damar view the role of sports in mental health?

Damar sees sports, particularly basketball, as a means to channel focus and energy into something productive, which can help in managing and overcoming mental health challenges.

What was Damar's initial attitude towards discussing his mental health?

Damar was initially quiet and did not want to speak about his mental health, but he later realized the importance of sharing his experiences to help others.