⚠️ Content warning: This week's episode contains references to anxiety, depression, suicidal thinking, and attempted suicide.

On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, we chat with former D1 lacrosse player Lauren Hickman. Lauren opens up about her experience with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation and explains the impact mental illness has had on her relationships, her athletic performance and her identity as a student-athlete. Diagnosed with chronic major depression, she also discusses her daily battle with negative thoughts and how she trains her brain to fight against cognitive distortions and focus instead on finding joy in every moment. Lauren hopes to use her story as a way to encourage student-athletes to initiate conversations about mental health, embrace being vulnerable and to feel comfortable enough to ask for help.

You can read more about our podcast at http://www.thementalmatchup.com or on Instagram @thementalmatchup. 

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at tel: 800-273-TALK(8255).