NBA Star's Shocking Journey to Better Mental Health Started with a Life-Changing Tweet

For DeMar DeRozan, this path toward improved mental health started with writing a tweet. It was 2018 when DeRozan, then an NBA All-Star with the Toronto Raptors, made national headlines for his unexpected revelation of coping with depression and anxiety.

DeRozan's decision to speak out broke the mold for his generation's mindset of maintaining toughness and not showing vulnerability as an athlete. However, his willingness to open up about his experience was undoubtedly a courageous and groundbreaking move that opened up the doors for other athletes to express themselves more authentically.

His social media post ended up being instrumental in catapulting a much-needed conversation in the NBA. DeRozan isn't the only one who deals with this dilemma; other notable figures such as Kevin Love, Dwyane Wade, and the Los Angeles Lakers' Danny Green also shared their personal battles with mental health. The NBA's openness and the willingness to normalize mental wellness appear to be changing the conversation altogether.

Instead of viewing athletes as larger-than-life personas, displaying them as more human seems more empowering and has resonated positively with athletes across the NBA and its corresponding fans. Still, DeRozan reiterates the significance of athletes having a platform that needs to be utilized the best possible way.

After writing that life-changing tweet, DeRozan stated it created a type of ripple effect. 'I started getting tweets, messages, and it went from there.' This snowball effect triggered the emergence of an individual creating their own purpose of informing friends and an extensive community. Ultimately, DeRozan gave the platform the opportunity to display one of the most groundbreaking, significant performances in NBA history.

Fast forward to the present, DeRozan has written a children's book centered around mental health. As author DeMar DeRozan sends a commendable message about the struggles of finding courage to do the very thing millions looked up to him for in the first place. You simply cannot help but think about DeRozan's journey, and praise DeRozan for a truly selfless path not many have ever had the chance to demonstrate as beautifully. A crucial goal he strives for DeRozan, could soon become a future point to talk about.