The existence of mental health issues in the WNBA
Seattle Storm rookie Nika Mühl, who is from Croatia, had to wait to make her WNBA debut after experiencing visa issues. She admitted she was raised not to discuss mental health issues in her homeland, but has learned it’s better to share her feelings and emotions since coming to America.
PHOTO: Jane Gershovich/Seattle Storm
The reunions were sweet and adoring Saturday night, despite blowouts in Seattle and Las Vegas.
Seattle's Nika Mühl and Washington's Aaliyah Edwards were reunited less than two months after their Final Four appearance and were all smiles before Mühl's Storm crushed the Mystics, 101-69.
Meanwhile in Las Vegas, rookies Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin adorably skipped toward one another from both ends of the court and leaped into each other's arms, seeing each other for the first time since being drafted by the Indiana Fever and Aces, respectively. Then, Martin and the Aces took care of business against Clark's Fever, 99-80.
Back to reality, after a brief sigh of relief during a moment that was reminiscent of the comfort, love and strength they'd enjoyed during pristine years as college teammates.
The WNBA is a heavy dose of reality and can certainly interfere with the elation rookies feel after achieving their dream of making it to the league, in the form of a back-cracking screen from Breanna Stewart, like Clark endured earlier this season, or an extra forearm shove from Alyssa Thomas, as Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese found out Saturday night.
And while these kids have to wipe their feet on the dusty welcome mats laid out by veterans who once endured the same harsh entries into the league, they're also forced to wipe clean their mental game night after night, proving they can handle everything thrown their way.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but sustaining cerebral durability for the next four or five months is a challenge they acknowledge they're up against.
Welcome to the league, ladies.
WAITING GAME
After celebrating a run to the Women's Final Four, Mühl attended the WNBA Draft 10 days later and was selected 14th overall by Seattle.
The 23-year-old Croatian grinned ear-to-ear during her Draft-night press conference, as did Seattle coach Noelle Quinn and general manager Talisa Rhea, considering whom they drafted - the person, not just the player.
"We take the culture of our team really seriously and who these players are as people first," Rhea said on Draft night. "We feel like Nika ... is going to add a lot to our culture."
It was a special time for Mühl, heading into training camp as part of a WNBA rookie class that by season's end could go down as one of the best.
Nika Mühl dribbles up court in her WNBA debut on May 22, 2024.
Jane Gershovich/Seattle Storm
But as the regular season approached, her infectious grin turned to frustration as Mühl's opening night gameday fit, tunnel walk and professional debut was put on hold. The diminutive and menacing point guard had to go through a process to transition her student visa to a work visa to play professionally.
No, her dreams weren't shattered, but the delay was bothersome.
Two days after finally making her debut, Mühl shared her thoughts on Friday afternoon.
"The past month and a half has been a lot for me, truly," Mühl said to WGRamirez.com in response to a question about her mental health. "And even though it's been very positive, it's still very stressful. It's from one thing to another and sometimes you don't have time to just sit back, relax and focus on other things, which can catch up to you.
"I would be lying if I said that it didn't - it definitely did."
Being raised in Croatia, mental health is not something people talk about, Mühl said, but rather something you bottled up. Even worse, you're made to feel ashamed if you reveal any kind of mental weakness.
So, because of the traditions in her home country, she never dealt with mental health issues before coming to America.
Out of sight, out of mind is how she explained it.
"But I also never had issues and stressors and stuff that I experienced when I got to college," Mühl added. "I did experience mental health issues; I feel like everybody does in college. I feel like it's a very common thing, and I kind of feel sad for not talking about it earlier, maybe. But I feel like having the right support system and people that can recognize it because as I said, I'm not the one that's going to victimize myself ever and maybe talk about it first.
"But I had people that would recognize it for me and I'm very grateful for that, because I learned as a person too, that things like that are not to put aside or hold in, but to express it. You never know who might be listening or who you can help with being confident of expressing stuff like that."
Even after her debut, though, and finally being able to focus on her game and building chemistry with her new teammates, Mühl admitted she remains hesitant to be as vulnerable as she'd like.
"Like I've said, I have great support, I have great people around me even if they're miles away or even if they're in this building, so I feel very supported," said Mühl, who's anxiously waiting to score her first points as a professional after appearing in two games. "And I trust myself and other people when it comes to that stuff. I'm not very ready to talk about stuff like that openly yet, but I definitely will because I feel like it's very important. And I feel like a lot of players are going through the same things, especially with this rookie class. I feel like it's very overwhelming the whole thing, although it's positive, it's still overwhelming."
A WHIRLWIND
Indiana coach Christie Sides was an assistant at Northwestern when one of the players, Jordan Hankins, committed suicide. So, she takes her players' mental welfare very seriously.
"January 9, it's a day I'll never forget; it changed my life forever," Sides said before Saturday's game in Las Vegas. "I do a better job of communicating with our players. A lot of times they'll say what they think you want to hear just to keep it moving and we just can't do that. You gotta really check in with these guys, make sure they're okay. They're taking a lot of heat, they're taking a lot of pressure, they're taking a lot of noise that we're trying to keep out. And in our new society world with social media, that just is really hard to do. They're having some struggles."
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and Las Vegas rookie Kate Martin enjoy their reunion before their teams played one another May 25, 2024.
PHOTO: EthanMiller/Getty Images via Las Vegas Aces
Thus, Sides knows the importance of protecting Clark and making her mental welfare a priority.
After all, it's been nothing short of a whirlwind since Clark’s college career came to an end, and a little more than a week later was taken No. 1 overall by the Fever in the WNBA Draft.
Most players are available to the media during what's called the "90-60 mark," which is anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes before the opening tip, and usually after their warm-up. Clark, at times, has been made available after morning shootaround, in a special pregame session, and postgame.
"I feel like I've talked to the media more than I get to talk to my own family, which is really kind of sad," Clark said moments after the Fever earned their first win of the season in Los Angeles on Friday. "And it's a lot for somebody that's 22 years old, it can be tough at times. Our team is really young, it's difficult. ... I absolutely love it, and I wouldn't change it for the world, but I think just getting off social media, I think that's been the healthiest thing."
As much as she and teammate Aliyah Boston, last year's No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year, love what they do for a living, they also don't want to lose their passion for the sport they grew up playing.
"I logged out of social media because I have to protect my peace," said Boston, after enjoying her best night of the season with 17 points and 6 rebounds in the 78-73 win over the Sparks. "There's just a lot of couch coaches, and there's a lot of people that have never stepped on the floor that just continue to tell you how you should be playing basketball, and (that) we're messing up whatever bets or whatever they have going on. Personally, I'd rather not know, because obviously I did try to get those rebounds - I just didn't."
So, she's turned to faith, saying she's been spending the first couple of weeks of the season in her Bible a lot more than she had been.
"And it's been a blessing because I know He's the reason for everything," Boston said. "No matter what, all this that's happening on social media, it's because I'm going through a season, and I can't wait to come out on the other side of that. But I'm doing better."
Clark said it's the postgame meet-and-greets that has made her stressful moments worthwhile.
"(They) just remind me of why I love playing basketball and why I started playing basketball," she said. "You get a win and then you walk off the floor and there's so many young kids screaming your name and love getting to watch you.
"I think it's the little things that remind me every single day why I do this and why I love it. Mental health is very important for professional athletes and it's important for student-athletes. It's important for every single person in this world to feel like they have somebody to talk to. I think it's been something we've all been trying to navigate and continue to give ourselves grace."
PROGRESS
Now in her 21st season, Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi said she’s seen the league’s growth and progress of the WNBA's support system toward mental health issues since her debut in 2004.
PHOTO: David Becker/NBA Photos via Las Vegas Aces
And mental health doesn't only inflict its wear and tear on the rookies.
Veterans in the league, be it coaches or players, also know about the rigors of being a professional athlete and have their ways of recognizing behavioral patterns and how to handle them.
Diana Taurasi, now in her 21st season, has played under eight coaches, has been to five Olympics, has played overseas to supplement income, and has seen the league evolve during a well-decorated career.
She has a process for her mental strength, but also recognizes the importance of mental health awareness and acknowledged the growth and progress of the WNBA's support system since her debut.
"It's something that has changed over my 20 years and we're in such a great place where people can get help and move forward from whatever is hindering them," Taurasi said to WGRamirez.com during a postgame Zoom session. "My solution to that is always do the work. When it gets harder, I do more work. If it gets harder, I do even more work. I find solace in accomplishing things, getting things done, little tasks, being a good teammate, taking care of my family. I kind of cut all the white noise around me that really doesn't mean anything.
"I keep my family really close and I keep my circle really tight, and I try to accomplish as many things as possible before I die."
Per the league requirements and recommended practices, teams are required to follow specific guidelines for the welfare of their players (see graphic below).
The league also promotes its "Mind Health" site, which explores different categories surrounding mental health with outlets that can help visitors experiencing a crisis.
The "Mind Health Squad" introduces you to six colored basketballs labeled Move, Play, Pause, Learn, Connect and Nourish, which are encouraged activities that can regularly help boost mental wellness.
By taking an initial four-question quiz on the home page, the site determines where your mind health style is at that moment. For instance, the "Fueled Forward" allows you to discover the power of prioritizing your needs by nourishing the soul. Or the "Clever Coach" allows you to learn and understand yourself and the world around you.
"Everybody deals with things in their own way," Connecticut coach Stephanie White said. "We often tell our team, and I often remind myself, that there are people that are struggling with things that we know nothing about. And so, making sure that we move with grace, making sure we give grace, making sure we give ourselves grace (and) utilize the resources that are available to us. Whether that's talking to therapists, counselors, checking in on people you haven't heard from in a while. All of those things matter, particularly in sports.
"Often times you think that athletes are tough and they can handle anything and sometimes there are struggles. Life is tough. LIFE, IS, TOUGH. Just put one foot in front of the other, try to find peace, try to find a village, some comfort knowing that people have your back."
Minnesota Lynx veteran Kayla McBride has been outspoken about her mental health since authoring an essay for The Players' Tribune in 2020 entitled "It's O.K. to Fall Apart."
Fast forward nearly four years, and McBride said she's excited to start her mentorship with two new groups: Head In The Game and Voice In Sport.
"It's just good to check in with yourself," McBride told WGRamirez.com recently. "Obviously, it's a new season, I just finished the season (overseas), but I'm really excited. I'm in a good place. I think that along this journey since I wrote that essay, there's been so many ups and downs, but finding a home here, figuring out my things (with) my family, just finding my way has been really great for me, especially the end of last season here.
"I think I really hit a stride of knowing exactly who I am and finding my groove. So, I've been really fortunate for the people in my circle. People here in Minny, my family, they've been great. So, I'm just really excited and going into this season with a lot of peace, a lot of energy, a lot of feistiness, you know aggression as a competitor, but just a lot of peace as well."
MENTAL CHAMBERS
Mental health doesn't stop on the court or in the locker room, either.
Arielle Chambers, a multi-media journalist, host, and women's sports and culture amplifier affectionately known as Ari Ivory to most, has helped move the needle since taking her career into her own hands and founding Warner Bros. Discovery's HighlightHER, one of the first media platforms dedicated to women’s sports.
And, while her name has become synonymous with women's sports and she's become one of the most powerful voices for Black women both on and off the court with her intoxicating personality, her journey often encounters mental demons.
Ari Chambers is a self-made media mogul who’s been an inspiration for Black women. Yet while her name is synonymous with women's sports thanks to an infectious personality, her journey often encounters mental demons.
PHOTO: Courtesy Ari Chambers
"It's funny because as talent we put ourselves on a platform to be ridiculed with everything we say, with the way we look, with the way we deliver the messages, with our point of views," said Chambers, making time for a late-night phone call with WGRamirez.com after one of her many media obligations. "And so, to step away from that and realize what actually matters in life to us, like my mission is to amplify these athletes and get their stories across. And if I know that I'm doing that with integrity, I can sit well with myself, despite public opinion."
Chambers said she's found relief at times in the spaces she shares with other women in her industry, all of them knowing they can lean on one another while sharing similar occurrences in life, regardless if their specific situations are on different scales.
They can relate to one another and the baggage they both carry and bury, harboring feelings for the allotted time they're illuminating a television broadcast with their charm and personality, before returning to mental dilemmas they suffer from off-camera.
"We can relate to each other and know how to really help each other when we're feeling down, or some type of negative energy penetrates," Chambers said.
The 33-year-old media mogul spoke recently in-depth on the Locked on Women's Basketball podcast about a hectic career that has been non-stop since March, when her schedule included, but wasn't limited to Athletes Unlimited, the NCAA Women's Tournament, A'ja Wilson's book tour, the WNBA Draft, and her numerous appearances on ESPN and Andscape.
Chambers' star among aspiring women journalists is as big as Wilson's or Taurasi's among aspiring basketball players. But she admitted she finds herself continually working on self-improvement and has zeroed in on a major goal in 2024, giving herself grace.
"I am a perfectionist to my core and that registers in unhealthy ways," said Chambers, a 2023 Black Enterprise 40 Under 40 honoree. "And I'm working through that and trying to figure out how to be okay with not being 100% all the time. And what does my 100% look like? It gets redefined pretty often. But I can recognize that there are people out there that are inspired by me, and I have solace in that."
She said she draws inspiration from the work she does and the people she's around, both providing her with a healthy balance to stay motivated, especially knowing there's so much more work to be done. It's also a self-awareness tool that helps her acknowledge wins while learning not to take losses so hard.
A recent conversation with LSU star Flau'jae Johnson about the extremely heavy crown worn by Reese reminded Chambers there is another area she wishes she could take away the pain for others. Unfortunately, she knows the work is endless for the biggest passion that tugs on her heartstrings.
"It hurts knowing that I can't protect the younger Black women or just the Black players from the vitriol that's out there," she said. "It hurts knowing that we can't shield them from that public opinion that has been so adverse to their civil existence, but this is our plight every single day.
"The reason why (Angel's) able to harbor all that weight is because she's built for it. It doesn't mean she needs to have to do that every day. But the fact that she is that resilient and able to carry that just shows the power of a black woman. I don't know how she does it and people are looking at me and they don't know how I do it. But I'm looking at people like Candace (Parker), who has been subject to such ridicule over the years, and she stays strong. It's just, we figured out ways to live and thrive.
"(But) just imagine what our lives would be if we didn't have to live in that world. I think that there's nobody stronger than a Black woman and whether that's to survive or to thrive. It's a beautiful thing, ironically dark and poetic, that we're able to be successful despite the world looking at us through a biased lens, whether that's for us or against us."
For them, against them - every single month.
It's an ongoing awareness, not just in May.
