Hanif Abdurraqib on Cultivating a Support System, Depression, Anxiety, and Basketball
Mar 31, 2025
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Hanif Abdurraqib, a MacArthur Fellow and acclaimed poet, opens up about his journey with depression and anxiety. He emphasizes the vital role of community and support networks in mental health care. Hanif shares personal anecdotes about how basketball has shaped his identity and offers strategies for managing anxiety, including the importance of routines and physical activity. He encourages listeners to find joy in small moments and highlights the significance of recognizing and nurturing supportive relationships.
Acknowledging mental health issues like depression and anxiety as integral to identity allows for personal growth and authentic living.
Building a strong support network and embracing the help of others is essential for managing mental health challenges effectively.
Deep dives
Living with Mental Health Challenges
Addressing mental health issues like depression and anxiety involves a recognition that solutions aren't always about eliminating the problems entirely. The podcast emphasizes the importance of learning to coexist with these challenges, suggesting that acceptance and adaptation can often be more beneficial than the pursuit of a conventional 'cure'. It highlights that living with mental health struggles requires effort, patience, and the development of resilience, acknowledging that this journey can be daunting but may lead to personal growth and understanding. The speaker encourages listeners to find ways to navigate their experiences rather than seeking an unattainable state of complete normalcy.
The Role of Basketball in Personal Narrative
Basketball serves as a significant metaphor in the context of personal identity and growth, particularly for those who grew up in communities where the sport is central to social life. The speaker discusses how their connection to basketball parallels their life experiences, including challenges like incarceration and homelessness, alongside moments of triumph exemplified by figures like LeBron James. This relationship illustrates a complex framework of ascent and descent, relating a communal narrative to individual struggles. Through the lens of basketball, the speaker finds a way to articulate the urgency of time and its impact on personal and collective identities.
Building and Maintaining Support Networks
Establishing a network of support is crucial for managing mental health and navigating periods of crisis. The speaker reflects on their journey of learning to trust and rely on friends and loved ones, emphasizing that allowing others to help isn't a sign of failure, but rather an essential component of a healthy life. This support network plays a vital role, especially during difficult times, providing a framework for survival and community connection that fosters resilience. The speaker’s experiences highlight the importance of reciprocal relationships, where love and care are exchanged consistently, reinforcing bonds over time.
Reframing Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are discussed not as adversaries to conquer, but as integral parts of the speaker's identity that provide insights into living authentically. The speaker explains their experience with these conditions as a continuous journey, learning to view these afflictions through a lens of curiosity instead of shame or resentment. This approach involves acknowledging that while these feelings can be overwhelming, they also offer opportunities for deeper understanding and personal reflection. Emphasizing a shift towards gratitude, the speaker articulates how channeling anxiety into constructive practices—like running and routine—helps foster a more meaningful existence.
Hanif Abdurraqib is a MacArthur Fellow, accomplished poet, and critically lauded author of numerous books, including There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, which is now out in paperback. He’s also a person who deals with major depressive disorder and numerous anxiety disorders. In a revealing, positive, and practical interview, Hanif talks about the numerous ways he cares for his mental health issues by both taking care of himself and building a strong community of other people around him to lean on.
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