This week, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery gave a moving account on the “Fantasy Dirt” podcast about the difficulties he had with mental health during his NFL rookie season and the continued importance of mental health in his life.
“I had an extremely stressful time in the league as a rookie,” Montgomery remarked. I was experiencing suicide thoughts at one point. It was simply a frightening and dismal year.
Montgomery saw that his mental journey through a difficult rookie season was not being aided by the pressure placed on him by fantasy football players.
Montgomery remarked, “I was scared to live at one point.”
The Lions running back admitted to being dangerously close to “doing something that I knew I should not have done that would have changed the trajectory of everybody else around me” in an interview with the podcast hosts. However, he believes that a phone call from his nephew is what actually saved his life.
“Neither football nor my speed were mentioned by him. “Uncle Dave, I miss you,” he murmured. What is up with you? Montgomery disclosed.
At that moment, Montgomery made a promise to himself that he would not allow outsiders or anyone else to rule over him.
In order to maintain his mental health ever then, Montgomery has been seeing mental health specialists, such as attending weekly meetings with a therapist.
Montgomery remarked, “I have a really good therapist, but it was scary.” “I have been seeing a therapist for the past five years. Being able to control and communicate my feelings, as well as giving myself permission to accept that “I am enough.” I get to shape that perception for myself because I have experienced a lot and gone to many places where people do not even know who I am.
—to how my son sees me and how I see myself. I am living my life to the fullest, appreciating it for what it is. I am having the time of my life. I see a mental therapist for this reason, and it is been wonderful.
Please consider watching the complete interview here if you have a moment.
October 10th, Thursday, was World Mental Health Day. The Centers for Disease Control offers a useful directory of connections and resources if you are looking for support or assistance for your personal mental health issues. Please consider texting 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
