Former NBA Player Speaks to Students About Mental Health Struggles

This week, the Mental Health Club (COPE, Creating Opportunities for a Positive Environment) hosted Mike Sweetney, a former NBA player and collegiate All-American, to discuss his experience with mental health issues including anxiety and depression.

For those of you who haven't heard about Mike, he was drafted as the ninth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the NY Knicks. That's the same draft that produced Lebron, Melo, and Dwayne Wade. He played for the Knicks and the Bulls. Before that, he went to Georgetown where he was a finalist for the College Player of the Year in his junior year. 

Mike discussed how his father died at the start of his NBA career, which along with the pressures of life as an NBA player at the age of 21, led him down the path towards depression. After being traded to Chicago and battling weight issues, he got cut from the team, and after a brief stint overseas, was out of basketball by the time he was 30. 

Mike discussed how he was lost without basketball and battled depression and even suicidal thoughts. Through the help of a sports journalist, he started to share his story and began the healing process. After years of battling depression, he has now found inner peace and direction working as a mental health awareness counselor, helping people cope with mental health issues. He regularly speaks at schools, conferences, businesses, and even at Pesach programs. 

He imparted great advice, including not being afraid to seek help when you are feeling overwhelmed or when things in life may not be going your way. Mike was very open with his story and thoughtful in his answers to students questions (there were many) and we very much appreciate his taking the time out of his busy schedule to speak to our club.

Julius Rubinstein '22