Mental Health does not discriminate
Las Vegas Aces guard Kayla McBride’s self-penned article in The Players’ Tribune revealed her battle with anxiety and mental health. (Photo courtesy: Las Vegas Aces)
LAS VEGAS — Kayla McBride said it best in her self-penned article for The Players' Tribune -- it's OK to fall apart.
When it comes to mental health, everyone is equal.
That includes three professional athletes who represent Las Vegas in respective sports, including the Las Vegas Aces guard, a past WNBA All-Star who, according to her essay, "let basketball be the thing that carried me - freed me from dealing with the things that were actually going on inside my mind."
"Imagine a dumbbell just sitting on your chest," McBride wrote, describing the anxiety that overwhelmed her. "After a while, it like sits into you."
From the Vegas Golden Knights, goaltender Robin Lehner has emerged as somewhat of a spokesperson for mental health awareness since revealing he's been diagnosed as bipolar and ADHD with PTSD and trauma. His heartfelt speech at the 2019 NHL Awards brought his wife Donya to tears while opening the league's eyes to mental health awareness when he declared, "I'm not ashamed to say I'm mentally ill, but that doesn't mean mentally weak."
The Las Vegas Raiders have Darren Waller, a recovering addict who celebrated three years being sober just before the current NFL season. Coach Jon Gruden praised the tight end, who was suspended twice for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, as someone for teenagers to look up to.
"I hope a lot of young people out there get the real story behind Waller that you can beat addiction," Gruden said during a Zoom session on Aug. 14. "If you just listen to Darren Waller on how he did it, he’s a great source of leadership and proof that you can be great even though you had some really dark times."
IT'S OKAY
McBride's message came once the Aces were in the WNBA bubble in Bradenton, Florida, explaining that when the one escape in her life was taken away, she fell into that dark rabbit hole that is so hard to find a way out of. She was lost without basketball and didn't know what to do.
It was hard to talk about it, or even write about, because she was always the one helping others. She looked out for the people around her.
I felt that when I read it.
(READ MY PERSONAL STORY: I was ready to check out from one of two places: Vegas, or life)
Most times it's my own fault, and the same might be said for others. You put yourself out for so many people and forget to take care of yourself, with a mental cleanse and self-care.
For the first time in her life, with no motivation to train or be around anyone, McBride found herself searching for somebody to look out for her.
I felt that, too. Many of us have.
What she soon learned once the emotions came pouring out and she was inside the bubble, is there is no controlling the mental anguish we battle.
"You have good days and bad days," McBride said during a post-practice Zoom on Sept. 23. "It's about embracing the moments that you do have."
And McBride, who boasts one of the toughest exteriors of an athlete I've ever covered, is one of the faces of the WNBA. With social justice playing a major role during this year's season, the women were playing for a much bigger reason and reminded the media and public every chance they got.
Consider this, McBride had her one release taken away from her this summer, then was isolated into a bubble for as long as the Aces could last. She spoke out almost daily on not just why her shot wasn't falling at the start of the season, but on social issues and the senseless killing of Breonna Taylor. McBride faced the realization of her mental health issues once her story was published, and more than anything, was in search of her vibe all over again.
"All throughout this time in the bubble, we've had ups and downs, we've had things we're fighting for, we've had days of reflection," McBride said. "We've had good days, bad days. And mental health is a big part of that."
PANDA MENTALITY
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner revealed during the 2019 NHL Awards in Las Vegas he's been diagnosed as bipolar and ADHD with PTSD and trauma. Since then he’s spoken candidly on mental health issues. (Photo courtesy: Vegas Golden Knights)
If the late great Kobe Bryant gave us Mamba Mentality, it's only fair to appreciate and identify what Lehner has provided since he delivered that speech.
Fondly known as "Panda," Lehner has become a hockey-fan favorite far beyond his ability to stop pucks as the starting goaltender of the Golden Knights.
Lehner has reminded so many it's OK to not be OK, as long as you're getting it off your chest and talking about it.
"I’ve just learned that the bad days are going to pass and keep the faith that this will pass, and being open and honest with your loved ones," he said during his first Zoom session in the Edmonton bubble. "Keep pushing along. At some point, things are going to turn around and just about doing the best with what you got."
Like McBride, Lehner spoke about life without sports, and he was glad to finally be able to get back on skates and have the one outlet he could leave his thoughts off the ice and get lost in an intense playoff-bound season.
"I think it’s important that things are starting to get back, get some sports back, get some things for people to look forward to because if you don’t have anything to look forward to, it’s tough on your mental health and leads to depression, anxiety and all that stuff," Lehner said in July. "We saw a big economic problem that’s happening right now, too, and people are struggling with that. You’ve got to have something to look forward to, and I think sports plays a huge role in that."
During the worldwide pandemic that had, and still has, people reeling economically, it's led to anxiety, depression and even suicide. In one report from the CDC during the early summer stages, U.S. adults reported elevated adverse mental health conditions associated with COVID-19. Younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers also reported they experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, elevated suicidal ideation, and increased substance use.
The latter being why it was so important for Waller to, as Lehner said, had something to look forward to.
BEING CLEAN
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller celebrated three years of sobriety just prior to the start of the 2020 season and believes he can make difference for others, especially anyone dealing with mental health issues and who turn to drugs and alcohol. (Photo courtesy: Las Vegas Raiders, via pool photographer Heidi Fang)
After missing the first four games of the 2016 NFL season for violating the substance-abuse policy, and then being suspended for one year without pay as a repeat offender in 2017, Waller was signed by the Raiders off the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad in late 2018 and started all 16 games in 2019.
The last thing the 27-year-old needed was the NFL season to be delayed or canceled due to the coronavirus, and him being left scrambling in Las Vegas.
I've been told Waller might as well be invisible when he's in social situations. He's the quiet one and won't go near alcohol. He takes to heart what Gruden said, and believes he can make difference for others, especially anyone dealing with mental health issues and who turn to drugs and alcohol.
"Before, I wasn’t somebody that was worth looking up to or inspirational in any way," Waller said during a Zoom session with the media on Aug. 14. "Now, I’m kind of free from that. I can really step into my calling and write my own story. Be of service to other people in the process and inspire people. Me being clean, I feel is me breaking generational curses in my family. I feel like it’s changing what’s cool among young people. It means a lot to me now; I know a lot of people are looking to me for inspiration. So that gives me extra energy as well, so it definitely means a lot."
Super Bowl champion Nelson Agholor, who has emerged as one of quarterback Derek Carr's favorite targets this season, spoke about the effect Waller has had in the locker room with simple conversations he has with his teammates.
Agholor called Waller's words impactful when he reminded the Raiders - many of whom have years of experience on him - that this is a season it'll take self-motivation to grow, and that they not only have to motivate themselves, they also have to be able to motivate their peers.
It's ultimately the same message three Las Vegas ambassadors who all happen to be professional athletes - McBride, Lehner and Waller - have shared through their own personal journey, battling their own struggles.
It doesn't matter if you're a multi-million-dollar athlete or someone making minimum wage selling clothes in the mall, when it comes to mental health, the playing field is level.
Just remember, it's OK.
