Inside Mental Health

NFL Star Turned Doctor on Stigma and Mental Health

Aug 24, 2023

Former NFL player turned doctor, Derek Price, discusses the stigma surrounding mental health in professional sports and highlights the need for better support and education. He explores the challenges faced by NFL players, the impact of concussions on mental health, and the parallels between athletes, military personnel, law enforcement, and first responders. The importance of specialized treatment and resources for these individuals is emphasized.

27:45

Creator website

Episode guests

Derek Price

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Stigma and misunderstanding contribute to the mistreatment of behavioral health and addiction issues in society.

The fear of being labeled weak or crazy prevents many individuals, like athletes and veterans, from seeking support for their mental health.

Deep dives

Stigma and Misconceptions Surrounding Behavioral Health and Addiction

The podcast episode explores the speaker's preconceived notions and stigma surrounding behavioral health and addiction. Initially, the speaker believed that individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues were solely responsible for their behavior and could simply choose to stop. However, the speaker acknowledges the lack of understanding and awareness within society regarding the true nature of these conditions. The stigma carries over into the medical field, where there is little integration between mental health and general healthcare providers. This lack of knowledge and communication perpetuates the misunderstanding and mistreatment of behavioral health and addiction issues.

Introduction

3min

Invisibility of Mental Health in Professional Sports

12min

Understanding OCD and Addressing Mental Health in the NFL

3min

Parallels between NFL Players and Military/Law Enforcement/First Responders

8min

Specialty Hospital and Personal Contact Information

3min

Why do so many former NFL players seem to have mental health concerns when they retire? Could we be doing more to address their emotional needs during their playing days, and if we did, do they have the tools to take action?

Former NFL player Derek Price became a doctor after retiring from play and now heads up Sierra Tucson, one of the nation’s largest mental health treatment centers in the country. He shares how these answers are not as straightforward as we think and discusses the struggles of returning military and retiring law enforcement and what he sees as a doctor.

Join us as today’s guest tells us about his story of leaving the NFL, the reasons behind the stigma surrounding mental illness, and his new program for first responders.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page.

Our guest, Derek Price, is the Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Tucson, the award-winning Arizona-based mental health center renowned for its decades of success in treating trauma, anxiety, addiction, and chronic pain. Before joining Sierra Tucson, Derek served as CEO for American Addiction Centers, leading the 150-bed Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without.

To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

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