Maybe you are a player who has not felt like yourself for weeks, a parent watching a teenager pull away from a sport they used to love, or a fan who just read that a star stepped away. You want to know who else has been there, and what they said.
Athletes who speak openly about anxiety, depression and other conditions give people words for what they are feeling. Their stories also show that asking for help is common at every level of sport.
Quick answer
Many athletes have talked publicly about mental health. Kevin Love wrote about a panic attack in 2018, DeMar DeRozan spoke about depression that year, and Michael Phelps described suicidal thoughts after 2014. Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles stepped back from major events in 2021, and Dak Prescott discussed anxiety and depression in 2020. Brandon Marshall and Mardy Fish spoke out earlier.
Key takeaways
- Brandon Marshall disclosed a borderline personality disorder diagnosis in 2011 while playing for Miami.
- Kevin Love described his first in-game panic attack in a March 6, 2018 essay.
- Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open on May 31, 2021, citing depression and anxiety.
- Simone Biles left the Tokyo team final in 2021, then won three golds at Paris 2024.
- Since 2019 the NBA requires every team to employ a full-time licensed mental health professional.
Our picks at a glance
| Athlete | Best for | Year spoke out | Where to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Marshall (NFL) | Naming a specific diagnosis | 2011 | NFL.com report |
| Mardy Fish (tennis) | Anxiety attacks during competition | 2015 | His Players’ Tribune essay |
| Michael Phelps (swimming) | Depression at the top of a sport | 2017 | Sports Illustrated report |
| Kevin Love (NBA) | A first panic attack and starting therapy | 2018 | His Players’ Tribune essay |
| DeMar DeRozan (NBA) | Saying it out loud in a few words | 2018 | Sports Illustrated report |
| Dak Prescott (NFL) | Grief, anxiety and depression after a loss | 2020 | CBS Sports report |
| Naomi Osaka (tennis) | The case for mental health breaks | 2021 | Her TIME essay |
| Simone Biles (gymnastics) | Knowing when to step back | 2021 | NBC News report |
Year of the earliest public statement linked in this article (essay, interview or news report), as published by November 2026; some athletes may have spoken earlier in other settings. Years counted from the first public statement cited in each entry to 2026.
If you are struggling right now: call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org, to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is free, confidential and available 24/7. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
How we chose
We compared public statements athletes made in their own words, either in essays they wrote or in interviews reported by major outlets, as published by November 2026. We list them in the order they spoke out. Each athlete had to meet these criteria:
- Own words on the record: a first-person essay or a named interview, not a rumor or secondhand account.
- Specific: they named what they dealt with, such as depression, anxiety or a diagnosis.
- Linkable source: the statement is available from the athlete or a major outlet.
- Range of sports: football, basketball, tennis, swimming and gymnastics.
- Lasting impact: advocacy, a foundation or policy change that followed.
Which athletes have talked about mental health?
1. Brandon Marshall: Best for naming a specific diagnosis
Brandon Marshall, then a Miami Dolphins receiver, said in 2011 that he had been diagnosed earlier that year with borderline personality disorder, according to NFL.com. He said he went public to raise awareness and told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel he had spent $60,000 on treatment and kept up weekly sessions.
In 2018, CBS Los Angeles reported that Marshall and his wife, Michi, were running Project 375 to break down stigma and teach students how to support one another in a mental health crisis.
Pros
- An NFL star naming a specific diagnosis in 2011, while still playing.
- He turned his disclosure into long-running advocacy with Project 375.
Cons
- The 2011 reports give few details on treatment beyond its cost and weekly sessions.
- Project 375’s old web address no longer points to the project, so current program details are harder to find.
Key facts: Spoke out 2011; borderline personality disorder; NFL wide receiver; co-founded Project 375 with Michi Marshall.
2. Mardy Fish: Best for understanding anxiety attacks during competition
In “The Weight,” a September 2, 2015 essay for The Players’ Tribune, former tennis pro Mardy Fish described an anxiety attack during his night third-round match against Gilles Simon at the 2012 US Open. He won, but remembers almost none of it.
Two days later, on the way to his fourth-round match against Roger Federer, he withdrew. He wrote that he still takes medication daily and manages anxiety every day.
Pros
- A detailed first-person account of anxiety in the middle of competition.
- Candid that medication is part of his daily routine.
Cons
- The essay does not describe therapy or how he found care.
- The setting is specific to pro tennis travel and night sessions.
Key facts: Essay published September 2, 2015; withdrew before facing Federer at the 2012 US Open; manages an anxiety disorder.
3. Michael Phelps: Best for depression at the top of a sport
Michael Phelps told USA Today that after his second drunk-driving arrest in 2014 he had suicidal thoughts and shut himself in a bedroom for four days, until friends and family pushed him to get help, Sports Illustrated reported in August 2017. He has described therapy and talking openly as helpful.
His foundation now pairs water safety with mental wellness; its IM Program includes emotional wellness lessons on resilience and coping skills.
Pros
- Shows that elite success does not protect anyone from depression.
- He credits therapy and talking openly, not willpower alone.
Cons
- Most of his early account comes through interview summaries rather than his own essay.
- Coverage focuses on his 2014 low point more than day-to-day recovery.
Key facts: Spoke out by 2017; depression and suicidal thoughts in 2014; foundation runs emotional wellness lessons. Our earlier piece covers how Phelps opened up about his mental health.
4. Kevin Love: Best for a first panic attack and starting therapy
In “Everyone Is Going Through Something,” published March 6, 2018 in The Players’ Tribune, Kevin Love described his first panic attack during the third quarter of a home game against the Atlanta Hawks. He left the game, collapsed on the training room floor and was taken to the Cleveland Clinic, where tests came back normal.
He wrote that he had dismissed therapy until then, and that talking through grief over his grandmother’s death helped. The Kevin Love Fund now works on “creating equity between mental and physical health” through research, grants, advocacy and school lessons.
Pros
- A clear, step-by-step account of what a panic attack felt like.
- Explains how a skeptic ended up in therapy.
Cons
- He was seen at the Cleveland Clinic the same night, and access to care may look different for most readers.
- He says he is not telling everyone to see a therapist, so readers seeking treatment steps need other sources.
Key facts: Essay published March 6, 2018; panic attack during a game against the Hawks; Kevin Love Fund focuses on mental health research and education. Read our story on Kevin Love’s battles with mental illness.
5. DeMar DeRozan: Best for saying it out loud in a few words
DeMar DeRozan, then with the Toronto Raptors, posted a short tweet about depression on February 17, 2018, during All-Star Weekend. In a Toronto Star interview reported by Sports Illustrated, he said he had spent “various nights” depressed since he was young.
He told the paper, “We’re all human at the end of the day.”
Pros
- Shows that a brief, honest post can open a public conversation.
- Plain language about depression from a Raptors star in mid-season.
Cons
- His public account is short compared with the long essays on this list.
- It came through a newspaper interview, not his own longer writing.
Key facts: Tweet February 17, 2018; Toronto Star interview reported February 26, 2018; depression since childhood.
6. Dak Prescott: Best for grief, anxiety and depression after a loss
In a September 2020 interview with Graham Bensinger, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he began feeling anxiety during the pandemic quarantine and that depression set in a couple of days before his brother Jace died in April 2020, CBS Sports reported.
He also told NFL.com that getting help was “huge.” His Faith Fight Finish Foundation supports mental health and suicide prevention in his brother’s honor.
Pros
- Connects grief, anxiety and depression in a way many readers will recognize.
- A starting NFL quarterback speaking openly during his own season.
Cons
- The account is spread across interview clips and recaps rather than one essay.
- It focuses on one hard stretch in 2020 rather than long-term treatment.
Key facts: Spoke out September 2020; anxiety and depression; brother Jace died in April 2020; foundation supports suicide prevention. Our earlier piece shows how four NFL players shared mental health challenges with Carson Daly.
7. Naomi Osaka: Best for the case for mental health breaks
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open on May 31, 2021, a day after she was fined $15,000 for skipping press conferences, CBS News reported. She said she had dealt with depression since the 2018 US Open and felt anxiety before speaking to the media.
In a July 8, 2021 TIME essay, she asked tennis to allow a few excused “sick days” a year and to update the press conference format.
Pros
- Her own essay makes specific, practical requests.
- A four-time Grand Slam singles champion speaking from the top of her sport.
Cons
- Much of the debate centered on media rules specific to pro tennis.
- Her disclosure came after a fine, so early coverage focused on the dispute.
Key facts: Withdrew May 31, 2021; TIME essay July 8, 2021; depression since 2018 and anxiety before press conferences.
8. Simone Biles: Best for knowing when to step back
Simone Biles withdrew from the team final at the Tokyo Olympics after her first routine and later from the individual all-around, citing her mental health and “the twisties,” a loss of air awareness, NBC News reported on July 30, 2021. She said her mind and body were not in sync.
Her Team USA profile lists team silver and beam bronze from Tokyo, then gold in the all-around, team and vault at Paris 2024, for 11 Olympic medals.
Pros
- Shows that stepping back can be about safety, not giving up.
- Her later Paris results show a path back to competition.
Cons
- The twisties are specific to gymnastics and other aerial sports.
- Her account comes mostly through news interviews rather than her own essay.
Key facts: Withdrew in Tokyo in July 2021; cited mental health and the twisties; 11 Olympic medals per Team USA.
What changed after athletes started talking about mental health?
Public stories helped push leagues toward formal support. In 2019, CNBC reported that the NBA began requiring all 30 teams to:
- Add at least one full-time licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or behavioral therapist
- Retain a licensed psychiatrist to help when needed
- Keep a written action plan for mental health emergencies
- Tell players and staff how mental health matters stay private
College sports show the need has not gone away. An NCAA survey of more than 9,800 student-athletes, released in May 2022 and reported by WFYI, found rates of mental exhaustion, anxiety and depression as much as twice as high as before the pandemic.
| NCAA survey finding (2022) | Women’s sports | Men’s sports |
|---|---|---|
| Know where to go on campus for mental health concerns | 69% | 63% |
| Say coaches take mental health concerns seriously | 50% | 59% |
| Say mental health is a priority of their athletic department | 47% | 55% |
Where can athletes and fans get help?
These stories are not medical advice. If something feels wrong, talk to a doctor, a licensed therapist or your team’s medical staff.
- In a crisis: call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org. The 988 Lifeline is free, confidential and open 24/7.
- Not in crisis but struggling: start with a primary care doctor, who can refer you to a mental health professional.
- College athletes: ask your athletic department or campus counseling center where to go.
Which story should you start with?
- You have had a panic attack: read Kevin Love’s essay, then Mardy Fish’s.
- You are grieving: start with Dak Prescott’s interview.
- You feel pressure to keep performing: read Naomi Osaka’s TIME essay and Simone Biles’ Tokyo account.
- You have a diagnosis others don’t understand: start with Brandon Marshall.
- You think success should make you happy: read about Michael Phelps.
Have a story that could help another athlete?
Seismic Sports shares stories from athletes at every level, including what happens off the field. If you have been through something and want to help others feel less alone, tell us about it.
Frequently asked questions
Which athletes have talked about mental health?
Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan, Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Dak Prescott, Brandon Marshall and Mardy Fish have all spoken publicly about mental health. They described conditions including panic attacks, depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder, in essays or major interviews between 2011 and 2021.
What did Kevin Love say about mental health?
In a March 6, 2018 essay for The Players' Tribune, Kevin Love described having his first panic attack during a game against the Atlanta Hawks. He wrote that he had dismissed therapy until then and that talking with a therapist helped him. His Kevin Love Fund now supports mental health research and education.
Why did Simone Biles withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics?
Simone Biles withdrew from the team final and the individual all-around in Tokyo in July 2021, citing her mental health and the twisties, a loss of air awareness that makes twisting skills dangerous. She returned to win gold in the all-around, team and vault at Paris 2024.
Why did Naomi Osaka leave the French Open?
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open on May 31, 2021, a day after being fined $15,000 for skipping press conferences. She said she had dealt with depression since the 2018 US Open and felt anxiety before speaking to the media. She later asked for excused sick days in a TIME essay.
Which NFL players have spoken about mental health?
Brandon Marshall disclosed a borderline personality disorder diagnosis in 2011, and Dak Prescott discussed anxiety and depression after his brother's death in a September 2020 interview. Prescott's Faith Fight Finish Foundation supports mental health and suicide prevention.
Did Michael Phelps struggle with depression?
Yes. Michael Phelps has said that after his second drunk-driving arrest in 2014 he had suicidal thoughts and shut himself in a bedroom for four days before friends and family pushed him to get help. He has described therapy as helpful, and his foundation now teaches emotional wellness lessons.
What is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline?
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free, confidential service available 24/7. You can call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Do pro sports leagues provide mental health support?
The NBA began requiring all 30 teams in 2019 to employ at least one full-time licensed mental health professional, retain a licensed psychiatrist and keep a written plan for mental health emergencies. Support at other levels varies, so ask your team or school what is available.
Sources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Home
- NFL.com: Dolphins WR Marshall says he wants to help others with BPD
- CBS Los Angeles: Brandon Marshall and Michi Marshall on Project 375
- The Players' Tribune: Mardy Fish, The Weight
- Sports Illustrated: Michael Phelps contemplated suicide after DUI
- Michael Phelps Foundation: Home
- The Players' Tribune: Kevin Love, Everyone Is Going Through Something
- Kevin Love Fund: Home
- Sports Illustrated: DeMar DeRozan opens up about struggle with depression
- CBS Sports: Dak Prescott opens up about brother's suicide in new interview
- NFL.com: Dak Prescott talks openly on mental health
- Faith Fight Finish Foundation: Home
- CBS News: Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open
- TIME: Naomi Osaka, It's O.K. Not to Be O.K.
- WTA: Naomi Osaka player profile
- NBC News: What are the twisties? Simone Biles explains
- Team USA: Simone Biles profile
- CNBC: NBA now requires teams to add full-time mental health staff
- WFYI: NCAA survey shows mental health still a concern for athletes
Featured image: photo by Mk2010, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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