Photo Credit: Steve Dykes/USA TODAY Sports

Meyers Leonard Opens Up About His Battle With Depression And Anxiety

Portland Trail Blazers’ Meyers Leonard surprisingly was the team’s best player in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Leonard finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds, but unfortunately for the Blazers, it wasn’t enough.

During his exit interview at the end of season press conference, Leonard revealed that he had a rough time three seasons ago, battling with depression and anxiety. He also is proud to have overcome his struggle.

“In a time, when I was very unhealthy, my body didn’t feel right, there was a lot going on… we’ll call it with internal medicine issues… To be frank with you guys, I was depressed, I had anxiety pulling up to our arena, I mean it was bad. I didn’t want to go in public for fearing what people thought of me, but I’m happy to know here I am on the other side of it. It wasn’t easy to deal with, but I’m proud to be here today. And it wouldn’t have happened without my wife and a lot of caring people.”

Depression is an illness that should be take very seriously. It still is somewhat stigmatized, which results in many people not opening up about their illness.

But, it is a mental disorder ‘characterized by at least two weeks of low mood that is present across most situations’. It is often accompanied by low self-esteem, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, low energy, and pain without a clear cause. Between 2–7% of adults with major depression die by suicide, and up to 60% of people who die by suicide had depression or another mood disorder.