By: Annie Xu
A new generation of African American athletes are changing the way mental health is discussed. A topic that used to be considered taboo by many is now changing and becoming a more open topic. Popular African American athletes are now promoting not just the health of their physical bodies, but also the health of their minds.
Many athletes are opening up about their mental health and the issues they have faced with mental blocks in their sport. Being an athlete can put a great deal of pressure on sports players and, over time, this can translate to mental health issues.
The tennis sensation, Naomi Osaka, has taken a break from tennis due to anxiety and depression. This is just one of the many examples of athletes facing the same problems that many people around the world suffer from. For example, many were shocked when Serena Williams announced that she had struggled with depression.
Former NBA player, Lanny Smith, was forced to retire due to an awful injury early in his career. Lanny Smith is part of a mass of other African American athletes who are working to get rid of the shame surrounding mental health issues. In November of 2020, Smith started the company, Actively Black. The goal of his company was to make mental health less of a taboo subject.
What made Smith’s company so successful? He could relate to the people who were suffering from depression and anxiety. Smith was once was a NBA player, losing his career after one of his teammates fell onto his left knee, causing the cartilage to tear. His career was over in an instant. Within 33 days, Smith got into NBA and was out. Since he was a kid, he had dreamed of being in the NBA. Smith did not take this loss very well.
After this injury, he went through depression. He didn’t want to go outside because he was scared someone would ask about his NBA career. It was a distressing incident to happen to him, as an athlete and a person. As a result of this, Smith started drinking unhealthily. He didn’t think of seeking help. Smith explains it well, stating, “part of that also is probably a combination of ego and pride that you have as an athlete.” It didn’t help for Smith that he never considered a job outside of the NBA. He didn’t know what to do with his life; basketball was Smith’s dream in life and now that it was gone, he was lost.
What helped Smith get over his depression was his faith. Smith’s mother raised him Smith faith being a major part of his life. He took all the energy he invested in basketball and turned it into energy he could use to make his first brand, Active Faith.
Not everything was all rosy for Smith at the beginning. He didn’t reveal himself as the owner of Active Faith. He thought that it would turn away investors, and he was right. He recalls one investor that was interested in investing in his company. They had chatted back and forth over email and finally had an in-person meeting. Smith said it best, “when I walked in for an in-person meeting, I could see it on their faces. They were shocked that it was this Black guy that was behind the brand, and all of a sudden, they weren’t interested in investing anymore.”
After the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Smith realized that it was finally time to step out and embrace his race. He started Actively Black on November 27th, 2020. His original mission was to help African Americans who may be struggling with mental health issues, however that has expanded to every and any race.
The generations before have had limited access to therapists and mental health resources in general. There was a bit of embarrassment surrounding mental health issues. The more recent generations have been shining a light on mental health and its importance. No matter where this brand goes, it has sparked a movement and mental health is becoming more available to everyone.