DALIAN, CHINA - AUGUST 12: Kevin Love of American Professional Nike Rising Star Team in action against Chinese Men's Basketball Stars Team during 2018 Yao Foundation Charity Game at Dalian Sports Center on August 12, 2018 in Dalian, Liaoning Province of China. (Photo by VCG)We were moved this week by this story about Kevin Love, the All-Star forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the courage it takes to bring light to an issue that largely thrives in shadows: mental health.The competitive environment of the NBA highlights the pressure of facing a mental health problem. Anything short of “just sucking it up and dealing with it” is perceived as weakness, Love says, but nothing could be further from the truth. Getting help is a sign of strength, because it shows that we’re willing to fight. The NBA hired Dr. William Parham as its first director of mental health and wellness to close the huge gap between the large number of players who have mental health issues and the few who take the step to get well by seeking help. This is true outside of the NBA, too — mental health problems are massively under-diagnosed and treated.Anxiety, depression, panic attacks are like a blaring smoke detector in your home, Parham said — they are signs we are reaching a limit in how we are coping with adverse experiences that are beyond our control.The good news is that we don’t have to fight these battles alone — there are people with expertise who can help. Just take these veterans are finding help fighting the trauma they experienced in battle. We aren’t meant to live a diminished life — made in the image of God, we are intended for freedom. Let’s keep each other in prayer, and if you know someone who might be struggling with mental health, take a moment to reach out to them.
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