Hailey Van Lith Opens Up About Her Life-Threatening Struggles With Mental Health
The basketball star is baring her soul, revealing the painful battles she’s faced behind the scenes. Her emotional confession has sparked a wave of support from fans and athletes alike, highlighting the pressure of elite competition. Could her bravery help break the stigma around mental health in sports?
Hailey Van Lith (Photo By Amy Kontras-Imagn Images)
Hailey Van Lith is no stranger to the spotlight, but the road to success has been far from easy. After an impressive college basketball journey that included stops at Louisville and LSU, the star guard is now thriving at TCU. Yet, despite the accolades, Van Lith revealed a deeply personal battle she fought behind closed doors.
Following TCU’s NCAA Tournament victory over Louisville, Van Lith took a moment to share her struggles with mental health. In an emotional postgame interview, she spoke candidly about the challenges she faced while balancing the pressures of basketball and public scrutiny.
From Darkness To Light
Hailey Van Lith (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Van Lith admitted that her rise to prominence came with a heavy cost. Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s Nick Girimonte, she revealed that her early exposure to media and social platforms left her struggling mentally.
Hailey Van Lith revealed she struggled with mental health issues due to early media and social media exposure. She admitted, “When I was younger and in college, I was suicidal, heavily medicated, and felt trapped. You would never know because I was having a ton of success on the court, but internally and in life in general, I was ready to be done.”
Her journey took a turn when she decided to transfer to TCU for her final collegiate season instead of turning pro. The move wasn’t just about basketball, it was about finding peace.
“To come from that and do this is incredible,” Van Lith added. “I’ve been praying all year like, ‘God, I know you’ve given me this testimony to share it with the world and shed your light.’”
Her story powerfully reminds us of the importance of mental health awareness, especially in high-pressure environments like college athletics. As TCU prepares to face Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, Van Lith’s journey inspires beyond the game.
