In February of 2018, NBA star DeMar DeRozan shocked the world when he tweeted, “This depression got the best of me.” He posted it on impulse, but the effects it had on the stigma surrounding athletes and mental health were far-reaching. On this episode, DeMar tells us how owning his depression helped him find relief and influenced the industry to make mental health a higher priority. He also shares the hard-won lessons he learned during childhood and opens up about getting past losses on the court and the loss of his father. DeMar’s willingness to be vulnerable has given him a mental edge in basketball and in life. Now, he’s using his platform to encourage other athletes to speak their minds — and to instill self-love, self-awareness and self-confidence in the next generation.

Learn More

• See the tweet that started the mental health conversation and read the moving article about DeMar’s relationship with his late father.
• Get an inside look at DeMar’s life through his YouTube series, “COMP10 Summer.”
• For more on athletes and mental health, hear the WNBA’s Kayla McBride detail her own journey with depression and anxiety.