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Kevin Love announces fund aimed at combating mental health issues

By Jacob Mooallem

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 26: Kevin Love looks on during USAB Minicamp Practice at Mendenhall Center on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on July 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 26: Kevin Love looks on during USAB Minicamp Practice at Mendenhall Center on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on July 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kevin Love announced the launch of a new nonprofit focused on helping address mental health issues.

On Tuesday, Kevin Love joined the Today Show to announce the Kevin Love Fund, aimed at assisting people with mental health issues and focusing on mental and physical wellbeing. This announcement was another big step forward for Love, who has been advocating for mental health issues and de-stigmatization of mental illness since he opened up about a panic attack that caused him to exit a game in November.

The 30-year-old power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers detailed his struggle during a game against the Atlanta Hawks, describing how he had to exit early in the third quarter shortly after a timeout. The cause for his exit remained largely a mystery until he published his account of the evening in The Players’ Tribune on March 6.

In his Today Show appearance, Love stated that the Kevin Love Fund is focused on “beating down the stigma” and will aim to “empower people to really work on their physical, but also their mental wellbeing.”

After his article in the Players’ Tribune, fellow NBA stars such as DeMar DeRozan and Paul Pierce expressed public support for Love, and detailed some of their own struggles with mental health.

“Since I wrote the article in The Players’ Tribune, I realized how large of a community there is of people who are going through something,” said Love.  “I want to normalize the conversation so we can talk about our daily battles more openly and encourage people to actively pursue mental wellness with the same spirit and vigor that they pursue their physical well-being.  This is the core vision of the Kevin Love Fund and is intensely personal to me. My goal is to continue to do this work throughout my career and beyond.”

ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan released a five part series on mental health in the NBA, and in that series detailed how the NBA had hired Dr. William Parham as the first ever director of Mental Health and Wellness. Both Commissioner Adam Silver and Executive Director of the Players Association Michele Roberts have stated that they are focused on devoting resources to a mental wellness program and creating a comprehensive mental health policy.

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The Kevin Love Fund is partnered with Headspace, a company specializing in meditation and mindfulness. The foundation has listed Bring Change to Mind, Just Keep Livin’ Foundation, and the UCLA Athletic Department, according to a press release.

Love signed a four-year, $120 million contract this summer and will be looking to guide a young Cleveland team back to the playoffs after the departure of LeBron James.

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