Former NFL star Reggie Bush joins black men who are opening up about their mental health

Last week, former NFL running back Reggie Bush took back the Heisman Trophy after losing the respect 14 years ago. The skilled football player has since spoken out about how the controversy, which first emerged in 2005 with allegations that Bush accepted payments and other goods while playing for the University of Southern California, affected his mental health.

Appearing in “CBS MorningsBush said that when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2006, he was at his “weakest point.”

“When I think I’m at my weakest point and when I’m struggling with depression and struggling with suicidal thoughts, there’s a whole town there to embrace me and lift me up and give me a chance to come out whenever I can to prove myself again,” he said.

After an investigation by the NCAA found he had received merchandise, Bush voluntarily gave up his Heisman Trophy in 2010. However, after the NCAA modified its policy regarding players receiving payments, the organization formally returned the trophy to Bush. He told “CBS Mornings” he was just attempting to take all of it in.

“I think when you manifested it for so long and had the ups and downs for so many years – I cried about it, I really did – but I felt like at that moment I was just to accept it and just be happy, enjoy the moment and just know that we did it,” he said.

Even though his trophy was reinstated, Bush said he shouldn’t be withdrawing from a lawsuit currently pending against the NCAA for defamation stemming from a 2021 statement made by NCAA officials that called Bush a “pay-to-play” . scenario.

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As National Mental Health Month begins on May 1, Bush’s candid take a look at his mental health journey helps highlight the indisputable fact that Black men affected by depression are each underdiagnosed and often not fully utilize potentially supportive resources. Currently, the information suggests roughly 5% to 10% of black men suffer from depression, although these numbers don’t explain how many individuals remain undiagnosed. The study goes back 10 years, and since then, Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by police brutality and the rise of white nationalism, which have led to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Donald Trump’s presidency, the Covid-19 outbreak, the recession and more.

Depression could be difficult to detect because it could present in another way in several people. Many of the behaviors related to mental health issues – anxiety, anger, difficulty in school or work, feeling depressed – are normal in black men, making it difficult to differentiate when someone needs help. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention“Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. When a sad mood persists for a long time and interferes with normal daily functioning, you may become depressed.”

Bush has joined several other famous black men in recent times who have spoken out about their mental health issues. Earlier this yr, veteran rapper Darryl “DMC” McDaniels opened up about how his fame through Run-DMC, in addition to subsequent events including the murder of fellow Run-DMC founding member Jam Master Jay, severely impacted his mental health.

“It hit me late in my life, but it was always there,” he said. “It just compounded the situation I found myself in.”

McDaniels also added that he desired to talk about his mental health to let his fans know that speaking out “is not a sign of weakness.” It’s an indication of strength.”

As for Bush, he has found a brand new peace. Years before Heisman was reinstated, he had retired from skilled football.

Bush said that in 2020, greater than two years after his retirement in late December 2017 People Magazine“I’ve been able to enjoy more time with my family and just be able to do things that I wouldn’t normally be able to be there for. For over 20 years, I devoted most of my time to one sport. Now I have the opportunity to stay at home, find a new passion and focus on my family.”