Mental health in itself is just so stigmatized. It’s a taboo topic in our homes and our communities. We need more people to talk about it, and not make Titus Young or people like myself or others who can’t fight for themselves a national punch line.
Chicago Bears Receiver Brandon Marshall

Sports psychology in football advocates the significance that overall mental health plays in the development of a football mind and cultivating a solid mental toughness. This past week Detroit Lions receiver Titus Young was arrested four times within twelve days for offenses ranging from DUI to theft in a convenience store. His father reportedly offered that he struggled with an undisclosed mental illness and had not been taking his medication.

The effects of mental health disorders are evident within the general population, and make no distinctions between ethnicity, economic status, religion, or level of education. However, professional athletes are often held to a different standard with little being done to screen and treat possible mental disorders. Somehow the perception is that any person with the athletic ability to play professional football must be mentally tough as well, despite the fact that these young men face surmountable pressures from the outside world. Currently there is progress within the NFL to address and support the mental health of its players, but that progress must continue to grow for the overall mental wellness of the players to be improved.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall knows firsthand the effects of untreated mental illness. While playing with the Denver Broncos, Marshall received a suspension in 2008 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, and later from the Broncos for insubordination. This was followed by a short stint with the Dolphins, and currently he now suits up with the Chicago Bears. In 2011 Marshall was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and underwent three months of treatment and therapy at Boston’s McLean Hospital. There he learned coping strategies to deal with his disorder which is marked by instability in relationships, emotions, self-image and mood.

Now, Marshall decided to use his journey to educate others and advocate the treatment of mental illness with his Project Borderline Foundation. This transformation from self-destructive athlete to educator and advocate for mental health illustrates that these disorders are treatable, and patients do get better. Marshall explained how he finally received the help he needed, “I had a dream home, two nice cars, three beautiful dogs, but I didn’t enjoy one part of it. And it was hard to understand why. In sports, those who show they are hurt or have mental weakness or pain are told: ‘You’re not tough. You’re not a man. That’s not how the players before you did it.’’

Now with his new role as the self-proclaimed “poster child of BPD”, Marshall exhibits not only a rejuvenated football confidence, but also a joy and purpose for his life outside the football stadium.

Owners and coaches in the NFL must address the mental game of football along with the mental health of each player individually. The mental toughness of an athlete is just as important as the stats from the weight room, or times from the track.

There are many people pulling for Titus Young to get the help he needs to address his personal issues, including Brandon Marshall who offers his hope and advice, “A guy like Titus, I hear people say his career is over. Well first of all, it’s really not about his career right now, it’s about his life. And second of all, if he gets that in order, we’ll be looking at a success story, and this is a guy who will be in the locker room and guys will be coming to him for advice.”