A few years ago I decided I wanted to talk to professional football players about bipolar disorder and depression. There is a rookie camp every year where they offer support around relationships, money, media pressure, getting along as a team, etc etc. I thought- I should go in there and tell them what it’s like to have bipolar disorder and depression and how they could see the signs in themselves and others.
Here is what I heard from people- “Julie, pro sports guys don’t want to talk about depression! They will never listen to the word bipolar! That’s for human resources!”
I heard the same thing when I went into Nike and talked about my ideas. As always, society is way behind the curve when it comes to mental illness- here is an article that proves this 100%- It’s not a positive article as you can imagine- so if you’re depressed, skip it and read it when you feel better- but if you want to see the reality of professional sports- this describes it.
Only a few are ill- just as only a few of us are ill compared to the 300 million who live in the US. But wow, when we get ill, it’s pretty terrible!
Click here read the Yahoo Sports article on the topic.
What ideas do you have to help the sports world make changes?
Julie
Hi, Julie!
I think to get through to the NFL players, it’s going to take one of their own, like Terry Bradshaw has done:
“After his NFL career ended, Bradshaw disclosed that he had frequently experienced anxiety attacks after games. The problem worsened in the late 1990s after his third divorce, when he said he “could not bounce back” as he had after the previous divorces or after a bad game. In addition to anxiety attacks, his symptoms included weight loss, frequent crying, and sleeplessness. He was diagnosed with clinical depression. Since then he has taken Paxil regularly. He chose to speak out about his depression to overcome the stigma associated with it and to urge others to seek help.” [10]
[10] USATODAY.com – Terry Bradshaw’s winning drive against depression
However, I think YOU stand a much better chance of working with the NFL players’ wives. They are obviously concerned about the well-being of their husbands and are in a position to see them outside the football stadium or glare of media lights. With your help, the players’ wives would learn what warning signs to look for and how to get the help they need. (For example, how, specifically, would the wife of a Detroit Lions player get help for her severely depressed husband who is refusing to go to a doctor?) In addition to helping the players, you may also be benefitting any players’ wives who may be experiencing depression or bipolar disorder, too.
Just a thought! I think you have a great idea.
Sandra
heres the curve. if an athlete has bipolar disorder they will soon be off the team. By the time they recover the window will be gone. No one there was bipolar or depressed probably
hi
I played college and pro football and have bipolar. My coaches unknowingly fed my symptoms of grandiosity and risk taking. “Anything is possible! You can be great!”