DeMar DeRozan Expands Mental Health Push in 18th NBA Season After Joining Nuggets
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 17
DeMar DeRozan Expands Mental Health Push in 18th NBA Season After Joining Nuggets
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 17
Summary
DeMar DeRozan says his move to Denver on a one-year deal is sharpening his push to turn mental-health talk into action as he enters his 18th NBA season.
The 37-year-old, who revealed his depression in 2018, wants to reach more young boys and men as U.S. data show men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths.
His advocacy now extends beyond public comments to “Dinners with DeMar,” a YouTube interview series, and outreach to policymakers after he sought talks with California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The effort is also tied to his career stage: after Sacramento released him in July, DeRozan said the uncertainty forced him to confront retirement and think about film, writing and other ways to tell mental-health stories.