Thread by @PlayersTribune

More and more athletes are opening up about their own struggles to help raise awareness and end judgement around mental health.

Today, we highlight their stories. #BellLetsTalk

“It literally felt like this black cloak got thrown on top of me, and it was suffocating me. But not just physically. It was suffocating my soul.” —Ben Gordon

#BellLetsTalk theplayerstribune.com/articles/ben-g…

In 2017, Lamar Odom opened up about his struggle with addiction.

@RealLamarOdom | #BellLetsTalk

“Yes, I battled depression.

After an MVP season.

Yes, I had panic attacks.

After an MVP season.

That’s not weakness.”

@_ajawilson22 | #BellLetsTalk
theplayerstribune.com/posts/dear-bla…

“It all just comes down to finding a way — any way — to stop bottling everything up and suppressing what you’re feeling.”

@the_rob_mac | #BellLetsTalk
theplayerstribune.com/posts/rob-mccl…

“In my mind, I was telling myself I was all good.

Was I all good? No.”

@MSavvy91 | #BellLetsTalk
theplayerstribune.com/articles/marc-…

“I’m focusing a lot more on the gratitude side of things and being grateful for being alive. No, enjoying being alive.

And let me tell you, that’s better than any medal.”

@AnnaCockrell48 | #BellLetsTalk theplayerstribune.com/posts/letter-t…

“In any sport, if they sprain an ankle they know exactly what to do… What about when you have a mental injury?”

@Julius_Thomas | #BellLetsTalk theplayerstribune.com/posts/julius-t…

“Even at the peak of my life and performance, I never wanted people to know I was dealing with this… It’s teammates, it’s coaches… are they going to be able to trust me? What are they going to think about me if they know?”

@kevinlove | #BellLetsTalk theplayerstribune.com/posts/keving-l…

“You walk around carrying this invisible weight — this pressure on your whole spirit — because the worlds you’re trying to fit into are rejecting you in so many ways. And you think it’s your fault.”

@TaylorTownsend | #BellLetsTalk theplayerstribune.com/posts/taylor-t…

“Mental health to me is when you’re able to admit that you’re tired. And I was tired of holding some of those things, and I was tired of holding all these people together who didn’t care about Steven.”

Steve Francis | #BellLetsTalk

“I have been everything in this life. I have been an angry kid. I’ve been a depressed teenager. I’ve been an addict...

The only reason I’m still on this earth is because of all the friends who never stop having my back.”

@MadKing1981 | #BellLetsTalk theplayerstribune.com/posts/eddie-ki…

For more mental health stories ⬇️ #BellLetsTalk theplayerstribune.com/collections/me…