• Kevin Love's Athlete Mental Health Program launched on May 1, 2025, providing free resources for student-athletes to address mental well-being.
• Love emphasizes the importance of communication and vulnerability in breaking down mental health stigmas, especially in sports environments.
• The Kevin Love Fund's initiatives have reached over 130,000 students and 1,900 educators across numerous schools and programs.

Kevin Love, a prominent NBA player, has become a leading advocate for mental health awareness. Drawing from his own experiences with panic attacks and mental health struggles, Love founded the Kevin Love Fund (KLF) to promote education, storytelling, and evidence-based tools for mental wellness. The KLF recently launched the Athlete Mental Health Program, a free resource designed to help student-athletes develop their identities beyond sports and address issues like performance anxiety and stress. Love's efforts aim to foster open conversations and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within athletic communities.

• What: Kevin Love's mental health advocacy, including the launch of the Athlete Mental Health Program by the Kevin Love Fund. The program provides free resources for student-athletes to address mental well-being and foster identity beyond sports.
• Who: Kevin Love, the Kevin Love Fund (KLF), student-athletes, educators, coaches, and sports communities.
• When: The Athlete Mental Health Program launched on May 1, 2025. Kevin Love's mental health journey began with a panic attack in March 2018.
• Where: The Kevin Love Fund's initiatives have reached schools and programs across 32 states and 19 countries. The interview with Kevin Love took place at his parents' home in Oregon.

Kevin Love's advocacy is significant because it addresses a long-standing stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in the high-pressure world of professional sports. By sharing his personal experiences, Love has created a platform for others to speak out and seek help. The Athlete Mental Health Program is a tangible resource that provides tools and support for young athletes, helping them develop a healthy sense of self beyond their athletic achievements. His openness challenges the hypermasculine culture often associated with sports, promoting vulnerability and communication as strengths rather than weaknesses. Love's work has the potential to create a lasting impact on the mental well-being of athletes and the broader community.

I think the hardest thing to do is to get those young men and young boys to actually just talk about things... That’s the first step, and then that communication eliminates the stigma.

Athletics can be a defining part of life—but it should not define your entire identity.

Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s often the first step to saving a life.

Kevin Love's ongoing efforts to promote mental health awareness and provide resources for athletes are making a significant impact. His personal journey and the initiatives of the Kevin Love Fund are helping to break down stigmas and foster open conversations about mental well-being. The Athlete Mental Health Program represents a crucial step in supporting young athletes and encouraging them to develop their identities beyond sports. Love's advocacy is a testament to the power of vulnerability and the importance of prioritizing mental health.