Sometimes life can really test you. It doesn’t matter who you are but it’s how you deal with the tough times that define your character. Even professional athletes go through troubles as we have seen an increase in athletes speaking out about the importance of mental health.
It’s something that isn’t always the easiest to talk about but it’s one of the more important parts of life. If you aren’t okay mentally, you won’t be able to complete much in your day-to-day life.
Former NBA lottery pick Dion Waiters understands this all too well. He recently gave some insight into a dark path that he went down shortly after he played, he last game. Now he is attempting a comeback to the league, but Waiters sat down with Bleacher Report after his comeback workout and got real about what he was dealing with.
“But honestly, bro, I went through some s--t. Depression, anxiety and just not knowing my future. It got serious, bro. I had to get a therapist. It became overwhelming and too much to bear. I now talk to a therapist every Wednesday.”
Waiters hasn’t played in the NBA since he was with the Lakers in 2019-2020. He was apart of the team that won the NBA title but since then, being out of the league has taken a toll on him. Basketball was his life and then it was just gone. Waiters got real about his depression in the interview.
“I just wasn't having fun. I had thoughts of not being around, but I've got kids. I'd rather be miserable for the rest of my life than to leave my kids without a father. I didn't want to be around anyone”
Hearing Waiters talk like this breaks my heart because nobody should ever feel like this and yet, it’s a part of life that many people deal with. But the more that public figures step up and normalize dealing with mental health, the better it will be.
Waiters spoke about the importance of seeking help if you need it and that there is nothing wrong with needing help. He also talked about hesitancy within the Black community to seek therapy.
“I want the world to know, especially in our community, that it's OK to have a therapist, man. There's nothing wrong with it. People who are very successful might not have many problems, they even have a therapist. We all need it.”
Waiters’ advocacy for therapy and people dealing with their mental health is important. He has a voice and is a figure in the sports world and if he can even help one person, then he did his job.
He hopes to have the chance to get back into the league to show what he can do. Waiters is still just 31-years-old so maybe he could provide some team with some minutes off the bench. We hope we get to see him back on the court sooner rather than later!
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