Insights

Kevin Love founded the Kevin Love Fund (KLF) in 2018 with a mission to empower athletes to improve their physical and mental well-being. In an exclusive interview with Kevin Love, Regina Miller, Executive Director of the KLF, and Ellie Foster, Co-Director of Education at KLF, they share an upcoming inaugural event: the Student-Athlete Mental Health Summit.

Professional basketball players face a unique set of stressors while working in a high-pressure environment like the NBA. As a result, there have been an increasing number of requests for mental health resources over the past several years. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the player union founded in 1954, developed a mental health program in 2018 in response to a surge of elite athletes grappling with mental health concerns. It is important to distinguish the NBPA from the NBA, which is the league governing body that oversees the business aspects of the sport.

ADHD is a diagnosis that affects BOTH men and women and is NOT exclusively a diagnosis made in childhood.

There have been an increasing number of athletes speaking out about their mental health struggles, and it’s no surprise that elite athletes competing at the Olympic level face a tremendous amount of pressure. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has been working tirelessly leading up to the Paris 2024 games to ensure that athletes have a surplus of mental health resources. Through the USOPC’s extensive mental health program and offerings, around 1,200 athletes received mental health services in 2023 from the USOPC, with the youngest athlete being age 12 and the oldest being age 54.

With Michael Phelps and Simone Biles speaking openly about their mental health challenges in recent years, sports leagues and players associations around the country are making resources available to their athletes. No one is setting a better example than the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).

Over the last several years, it’s become increasingly difficult to schedule appointments within a short timeframe and contact a physician between visits, as many healthcare systems are understaffed and have growing waitlists of patients needing to be seen. Mental health conditions have become increasing prevalent as more people are facing stress and challenges at home and at work. Traditionally, outpatient psychiatry clinics have been very busy and have both limited availability and long wait times.

Mood disorders in children are a serious concern that can have a significant impact on their overall well-being and development. Understanding these disorders is crucial for parents and caregivers to provide the necessary support and intervention. Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, can affect a child's emotional state, behavior, and ability to function in daily life. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of these disorders to ensure early detection and appropriate treatment.

Adversity is inevitable. At some point, you will face challenges both personal and professional. This could look like a sudden job loss, a personal challenge, financial hardship, health concerns, or professional setbacks.

Sports psychiatrists play a key role in supporting an athlete’s mental health.

Implement these skills and watch your performance reach new heights.