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DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love appear in PSA encouraging people to seek help for mental health issues
Both players have been public about their struggles
When DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love let the world know about their mental health struggles earlier this year, they sparked a national conversation.
On the eve of Mental Health Awareness Month, the NBA released a public service announcement featuring Love and DeRozan encouraging people to ask for help. It also launched a website where fans can learn about mental health and resiliency and access a variety of resources.
“Everyone walks around with something that you can’t see. The best thing that I did was to come out and say, ‘Hey, look, I need some help,’ ” Love said.
“Never be ashamed of wanting to be a better you, period,” said DeRozan.
The PSA debuts Tuesday night on TNT and will run on ABC, ESPN and NBA TV throughout the playoffs. It is part of a leaguewide effort to offer free training for league and team employees and new mental wellness programming for thousands of youths through Jr. NBA and NBA FIT. The NBA will also host events to help communities view emotional well-being as equally important as physical wellness.
DeRozan revealed during this year’s All-Star Weekend that he’s had bouts of depression. He also posted this tweet with lyrics from the song “Tomorrow” by Kevin Gates:
This depression get the best of me…
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) February 17, 2018
Love opened up about the panic attack he suffered during a Nov. 5 game in an article in The Players’ Tribune in March.