If sports taught us anything, it’s this: humans will voluntarily run 26.2 miles, then pay money to do it again. So yesathletes are tough. But toughness
doesn’t magically “out-muscle” depression. In fact, some of the most decorated athletes on the planet have publicly shared that they’ve dealt with
depression (or major depressive disorder), sometimes while they were still winning medals, titles, and hearts.

This article is a fact-based, public-statement-only roundup. It does not diagnose anyone, speculate about private health details, or imply
that every athlete on Earth is secretly sad behind sunglasses. It simply highlights athletes who have themselves spoken about depression, plus
what their stories can teach the rest of us about mental health in sports.

Quick-scan list (names + sport)

• Michael Phelps Swimming
• Allison Schmitt Swimming
• Kevin Love Basketball (NBA)
• DeMar DeRozan Basketball (NBA)
• Naomi Osaka Tennis
• Simone Biles Gymnastics
• Dak Prescott Football (NFL)
• Brian Dawkins Football (NFL)
• Hayden Hurst Football (NFL)
• Chamique Holdsclaw Basketball (WNBA)
• Gracie Gold Figure Skating
• Dorothy Hamill Figure Skating
• Laurie Hernandez Gymnastics
• Ibtihaj Muhammad Fencing

Depression in athletes: why it can happen even when the scoreboard loves you

Depression isn’t “being sad.” It’s a medical condition that can affect mood, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, motivation, and self-worth for weeks
at a time. And athletesespecially elite athletesoften live in a pressure cooker that’s great for performance metrics and not always great for mental
health.

Common sport-specific stressors that can feed depression

• Identity fusion: When “I play” turns into “I am,” an injury, benching, or retirement can feel like a full-body identity crisis.
• Relentless evaluation: Coaches, scouts, rankings, fans, media, social mediaevery day can feel like a final exam you didn’t sign up for.
• Injury and chronic pain: Pain can disrupt sleep and activity, and isolation during rehab can be brutal.
• Travel and schedule chaos: Sleep disruption plus performance pressure is a lousy recipe for emotional stability.
• “Play through it” culture: Some locker rooms still treat mental health like it’s a typo in the training plan.

The key point: depression is not a character flaw. It’s not laziness. It’s not a lack of gratitude. And it’s not fixed by “just
thinking positive” (though if that worked, half of sports talk radio would be a certified treatment center).

List of athletes with depression (publicly shared stories)

The following athletes have publicly discussed depression or being diagnosed/treated for it. Each summary focuses on what they have shared in reputable
reporting or in their own words.

Michael Phelps (Swimming)

One of the most successful Olympians in history has been open about experiencing depression and reaching a crisis point. Phelps has described periods of
feeling overwhelmed and has credited getting helpespecially therapyas a turning point. His story matters because it challenges the myth that outward
achievement immunizes someone against mental illness.

• What stands out: He talked about depression, suicidal thoughts, and learning to ask for help instead of burying it.
• Takeaway: Help-seeking is not the opposite of strength; it’s often what makes strength sustainable.

Allison Schmitt (Swimming)

U.S. Olympian Allison Schmitt has spoken publicly about depression and the stigma that can make athletes feel they have to suffer in silence. She has
described how depression affected her daily functioning, not just her training, and how speaking up can be a lifeline for others.

• What stands out: She shared that depression can make even “simple” tasks feel heavyand that athletes are not exempt.
• Takeaway: Visibility helps. When respected athletes speak honestly, it gives others permission to seek care.

Kevin Love (Basketball)

NBA champion Kevin Love has been candid about mental health struggles, including depression, and how they intersect with high-pressure performance. He’s
described the emotional toll of trying to keep up an “I’m fine” persona while privately struggling, and how treatment and openness changed his life.

• What stands out: He has framed mental health like physical health: you don’t “tough it out” forever; you get it treated.
• Takeaway: Naming the problem (depression) can be the first step toward solving it.

DeMar DeRozan (Basketball)

DeMar DeRozan helped push mental health into mainstream sports conversation when he publicly acknowledged depression. The impact wasn’t just personalit
created a wider “me too” moment across leagues where players admitted they’d been struggling quietly for years.

• What stands out: His openness made the topic less taboo in pro basketball circles.
• Takeaway: Sometimes one honest sentence can change a whole culture.

Naomi Osaka (Tennis)

Naomi Osaka has spoken about experiencing long bouts of depression and the mental health strain created by public scrutiny, media obligations, and
competitive pressure. Her statements sparked global debate about athlete mental health, boundaries, and how sports institutions treat psychological
well-being.

• What stands out: She highlighted that anxiety and depression can coexist with high achievement and public visibility.
• Takeaway: Protecting mental health isn’t quittingit’s maintenance for a long career and a livable life.

Simone Biles (Gymnastics)

Simone Biles has discussed depression in connection with trauma and the intense pressures of elite gymnastics. She has also spoken broadly about
prioritizing mental health, including the reality that psychological strain can become a safety issue in a sport where the margin for error is measured in
millimeters.

• What stands out: She helped the public understand that “mental health” in gymnastics can be about both emotional survival and physical safety.
• Takeaway: You can be the best in the world and still need to step back, get support, and heal.

Dak Prescott (Football)

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has openly discussed anxiety and depression, including seeking professional help during a difficult period. His
willingness to talk about mental health in the NFLwhere “toughness” is basically a job requirementhas encouraged broader conversations about grief,
depression, and support.

• What stands out: He normalized getting help, not hiding symptoms.
• Takeaway: The strongest play isn’t always running through contact; sometimes it’s reaching out.

Brian Dawkins (Football)

Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins has shared that he suffered from depression and experienced suicidal thoughts early in his career. His story is
striking because it contrasts an on-field reputation for ferocity with an off-field reality of emotional painand a path toward recovery and advocacy.

• What stands out: He discussed depression publicly in a moment of massive visibility.
• Takeaway: Depression can affect anyone, including the person everyone assumes is “built different.”

Hayden Hurst (Football)

NFL tight end Hayden Hurst has spoken publicly about depression and a suicide attempt, and about getting help. His advocacy focuses on reducing stigma and
encouraging othersespecially younger peopleto take mental health symptoms seriously and seek treatment early.

• What stands out: He’s emphasized that professional help and support changed his trajectory.
• Takeaway: A crisis doesn’t have to be the end of the story; it can be the start of getting care.

Chamique Holdsclaw (Basketball)

Former WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw has discussed being diagnosed with clinical depression and later learning more about her mental health picture. She
has spoken about the added layers of stigma that can exist around mental illness, and why visibility and treatment matter.

• What stands out: She has described how grief and pressure intersected with mental health symptoms.
• Takeaway: Getting the right diagnosis and support can be life-changingespecially when symptoms have been misunderstood for years.

Gracie Gold (Figure Skating)

U.S. figure skater Gracie Gold has openly discussed depression, anxiety, and treatment, including times when she experienced suicidal thoughts. Her
story also highlights how perfection-driven sport environments can make it hard to admit you’re strugglingespecially when everyone expects you to be
“graceful” all the time.

• What stands out: She has been frank about how severe depression can become, and how treatment supported her recovery.
• Takeaway: Recovery is rarely a straight linebut help can make a comeback possible.

Dorothy Hamill (Figure Skating)

Olympic champion Dorothy Hamill has spoken about lifelong depression and how it affected her even after achieving fame. Her story underscores a common
misunderstanding: people often assume success automatically produces happiness, but mental health doesn’t work like a trophy case.

• What stands out: She described recognizing depression as a real condition, not a personal weakness.
• Takeaway: You can reach your dream and still need supportboth things can be true.

Laurie Hernandez (Gymnastics)

Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez has discussed depression and antidepressants, along with broader mental health challenges. She has described the
post-Olympics period as emotionally complicatedbecause after the biggest “high,” there can be a confusing crash when the structure, adrenaline, and
constant goals suddenly shift.

• What stands out: She has spoken candidly about treatment, including medication.
• Takeaway: Effective depression care is often practical, not glamoroustherapy sessions, routines, and sometimes medication.

Ibtihaj Muhammad (Fencing)

Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad has discussed battling depression and the importance of sharing stories that don’t fit the “always strong” stereotype.
Her perspective also highlights how representation and community support can matter, especially when someone feels isolated in their sport or environment.

• What stands out: She emphasized why young people need honest role models who acknowledge mental health struggles.
• Takeaway: Storytelling can be a form of supportespecially for someone who hasn’t found the words for what they’re feeling yet.

Warning signs: what depression can look like in athletes

Depression doesn’t always show up as crying in the locker room (although it can). Sometimes it looks like irritability, numbness, or “going through the
motions.” If you’re an athleteor you care about onethese are common red flags to take seriously:

Emotional and mental signs

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, or feeling “flat”
• Loss of interest in training, competition, teammates, or hobbies
• Increased self-criticism, guilt, or feeling like a burden
• Trouble concentratinglike your brain is running on low battery

Physical and behavioral signs

• Sleep changes (insomnia, sleeping too much, restless sleep)
• Appetite or weight changes
• Fatigue that doesn’t match training load
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or team activities
• Increased alcohol/substance use

If someone talks about feeling like they don’t want to be here, or you suspect they may harm themselves, treat it as urgent. In the U.S., you can call or
text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). If there’s immediate danger, call emergency services.

What helps: real-world support and evidence-based treatment

Depression is treatable. Many athletes who’ve spoken publicly point to a similar menu of “boring but effective” toolsbecause mental health recovery is
usually less like a movie montage and more like consistent maintenance.

Common treatment and support options

• Therapy: Including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other approaches tailored to the person.
• Medication: Antidepressants can be helpful for some people, often alongside therapy.
• Sleep and recovery routines: Protecting sleep like it’s part of trainingbecause it is.
• Social support: Trusted teammates, friends, family, support groups, or peer mentors.
• Reducing stigma: A team culture where it’s normal to say, “I’m not okay,” and get a real response.

If you’re an athlete navigating depression, the most practical first step is often this: tell one safe person, and book one appointment (primary care,
therapist, sports psych, or team clinician). Momentum matters.

For coaches, parents, and teammates: how to be helpful without being weird about it

You don’t have to be a therapist. You just have to be a human who’s willing to notice, ask, and stick around.

What to say

• “I’ve noticed you seem off lately. Want to talk?”
• “I’m here with you. We can figure out next steps together.”
• “Do you want help finding a professional to talk to?”

What to avoid

• “But you have so much to be grateful for.” (True… and not medically relevant.)
• “Just focus on the positives.” (Thanks, I’m cured.)
• “Don’t tell anyone.” (Stigma thrives in secrecy.)

The best team culture isn’t one where nobody strugglesit’s one where people can struggle and still be supported, respected, and safe.

Experiences athletes describe (a deeper, real-life look)

When athletes talk about depression, the most common theme is the disconnect between the outside story and the inside experience. Fans see the highlights:
medals, contracts, sponsorships, “living the dream.” The athlete often describes something much harder to explain: a fog that doesn’t care how fast you can
run or how high you can jump.

Many describe depression as losing access to your own motivation. Training becomes mechanicallike your body is showing up, but your mind is
stuck in the parking lot. The same workout that once felt like purpose now feels like moving heavy furniture in the dark. And because athletes are used to
solving problems by doing moremore reps, more film, more disciplinedepression can be especially confusing. You can “outwork” a weak squat, but you can’t
necessarily outwork a chemical and psychological storm.

Another common experience is shame. Not always because an athlete believes depression is shameful, but because the culture around them has
spent years rewarding invulnerability. In some sports environments, pain is proof you’re doing it right. That can blur the line between healthy grit and
unhealthy suffering. Athletes have described thinking, “I’m supposed to be toughwhy can’t I handle my own brain?” That thought can trap someone in
silence, delaying the exact care that would help.

Several athletes who’ve spoken openly also describe isolationespecially after a major peak. The day after a championship, practice still
starts early. The attention moves on. The body is sore. The schedule changes. Suddenly, the thing you were chasing is behind you, and the next goal feels
miles away. This is one reason “post-big-event” periods (post-Olympics, post-season, post-injury, post-trade, post-retirement) can be emotionally risky.
It’s not that success causes depression; it’s that rapid change can destabilize routines and identity.

Athletes also talk about how depression can show up in ways people don’t expect. Not everyone looks sad. Some look irritable. Some look numb. Some look
“fine” because they’ve spent their entire career perfecting performancesmiling for cameras, doing interviews, saying the right thing. Depression can ride
shotgun while the athlete keeps winning. That’s part of why these public stories matter: they teach us not to judge mental health by someone’s
productivity.

What tends to help, according to many athletes, is a mix of professional support and permission to be human. Therapy isn’t
a magic wand, but it can give someone language, tools, and a plan. Medication can be a stabilizer, not a weakness. Teammates and family can become
lifelines when they replace judgment with presence. And perhaps most importantly, athletes often describe a moment when they stopped treating depression as
a private failure and started treating it as a health issue worth addressingjust like an injury. That shift doesn’t remove the struggle overnight, but it
opens the door to recovery.

If you’re reading this and recognizing yourself in these experiences: you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. Depression is common, treatable, and not a
verdict on your worth. Getting help is a skillone that deserves the same respect as learning a new technique or rebuilding after an injury.

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