As a kid growing up in Compton, Calif., in the 1990s and 2000s, DeMar DeRozan was in a pressure cooker. Gangs, violence and death surrounded him. He quickly learned to keep his head down and suppress his emotions, pouring everything he had into his life on the basketball court instead.
After entering the NBA in 2009, he broke records and won the championship. Although he excelled athletically, he struggled mentally. And in 2018, he made a splash with a single tweet.
“In February 2018, I shared a tweet saying, ‘This depression is going to get me,'” DeRozan said Health. “I was at the top of my career.” It was NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, my hometown, and I was the All-Star starter. My team at the time was the Toronto Raptors, and we were leading the Eastern Conference. Everything on the basketball court was perfect, but off the court I was miserable. Innocently, but selfishly, posting that tweet opened up a whole new world for me and my mental health journey began.”
DeRozan was one of the first NBA players to go public with his mental health issues, but he’s far from the only one. He said he sees many athletes who are at the top of their game but struggle with depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges. Those struggles are heightened within the black community, DeRozan says.
“I was taught to keep my head down and never show emotion.” It has carried me through the years; in a way it still is. “But carrying that emotional burden for too long can break you,” he said. “For reasons like these, there is a stigma attached to depression and anxiety within the black community. It’s harder for us to share, especially for black people. My advice to struggling black men, women and children is to set them free. Don’t suppress anger, guilt, sadness, any emotion to make it happen – let it out. Find a support group, find a trusted confidante and surround yourself with like-minded people.”
Since his groundbreaking tweet, DeRozan has become a vocal advocate for mental health, on and off the court. In his YouTube series, Dinners with Demar, he sits down with prominent professionals and athletes for candid conversations about their unique challenges.
“In mine Dinners with DeMar digital series, we have open, raw conversations,” DeRozan said. “Nothing is scripted or rehearsed, just real conversation.” Every guest I sit down with for dinner sparks a different conversation. That’s what makes the series so special and relatable.”
DeRozan’s outspokenness has caused changes in the NBA. In 2019, the NBA enacted a new rule requiring all teams to have at least one full-time licensed mental health professional. They must also have a written action plan for any of their players or staff in the event of a mental health crisis. The league has expanded its mental health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s still work to be done, but when I first came into the league, there was no mention of mental health, anxiety, depression,” DeRozan said. “Fast forward to now, the NBA has therapists available on every team, and it’s a more accepting environment to ask for help.” Conversations must continue and players must be more vocal and know that they can be vulnerable with their teammates, friends, family members and anyone in their support system.
DeRozan doesn’t claim to have overcome his mental health struggles; instead, he embraced the opportunity to be a source of hope and connection for others facing similar challenges. In his memoirs, “Above the Noise: My Story of Finding Calm“, shares his journey – not only of professional triumphs, but also of fighting depression. His story resonated deeply with readers, inspiring countless others to seek peace in the midst of life’s noise.
“Last September, I was on a book tour, and a young man I met told me that I saved his life by sharing my struggles and encouraging him and others to seek help,” DeRozan recalled. “It was an intense moment, but a moment I will never forget.” I also have many parents come up to me and thank me for having conversations with their children about mental health. It’s the same with athletes; they offer a lot of support and love.”
DeRozan likes to speak directly to high school athletes and help them create positive coping mechanisms early on.
“I talk to colleges and high school athletes all the time. “I share my experiences and tell them to open up – don’t keep things inside, see a therapist and find an outlet outside of your sport that brings them happiness and satisfaction,” he said. “They need to make mental health a priority above all else.” If the mind is not right, the body cannot work.”
As much as he’s embraced his role as a public advocate, DeRozan knows that being open about mental health starts at home. The father of five encourages his children to use their voices and express their feelings. He said he would let them come to him when they were ready and share on their own terms. Of course, he leads by example.
“Whenever they’re ready to share, they know Dad’s all ears.” In turn, my kids are my release,” DeRozan said. “When I’m struggling, they’re my reprieve.” My kids check me by making me present and accountable, and I love that.”