NBA star Kevin Love spotlights mental health through nonprofit

May 14, 2026 - 18:22

NBA star Kevin Love is turning his personal mental health journey into a hands-on classroom experience for young people. The five-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champion has launched a new initiative called "GOAT: Beyond The Game" through his nonprofit, just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month. The program aims to teach kids how to recognize and manage their emotions, build resilience, and understand that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Love has been open about his own struggles with anxiety and depression since 2018, when he wrote a first-person essay detailing a panic attack he suffered during a game. That moment sparked a broader conversation about mental health in professional sports. Now, he is focusing on reaching the next generation before they hit a crisis point.

"GOAT: Beyond The Game" is designed for school settings and community groups. It uses interactive exercises and real-world scenarios to help students identify triggers, practice coping strategies, and learn how to support friends who might be struggling. Love has said he wishes he had learned these skills earlier in his life, and he wants to make sure kids today have the tools he never did.

The program also includes resources for teachers and parents, so the lessons do not stop when the school bell rings. By bringing the conversation into everyday spaces, Love hopes to chip away at the stigma that still surrounds mental health, especially among young athletes who often feel pressure to appear tough. His message is simple: you do not have to be a champion on the court to be strong off it.