The connection between sports and mental health has been a somewhat taboo topic, with many athletes hesitant to talk about the issues they’ve been going through, both on and off the court.
This week, ESPN has put a spotlight on several aspects of mental health in a series by senior writer Jackie MacMullan in which she interviews several NBA players, including All-Stars Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan and former Pistons forward Marcus Morris.
One recurring theme is the stigma attached to players seeking professional help and the fear of being judged for seeing a therapist or for taking medication to help in their situations.