Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love is once again opening up about his struggles with mental health.
The five-time NBA All-Star, who has long spoken at length about his battle with depression, had previously hinted that he contemplated suicide during a low point in 2012.
But now the 32-year-old is leaving no doubt about the depth of his despair.
In a recent interview with Graham Bensinger, Love conceded that he has considered specific plans to harm himself.
"When you get to that point and it’s day after day being the same, you come to a point where the darkest moments come into play and suicidal thoughts come into play," Love said. "And you start planning it out and what would be the route you would take. And those are really scary moments in my life.
"I had a number of ways. The good thing that happens is when you do search that, it comes up with the national suicide-prevention line. There was a couple ways that I toyed with, but it was just scary to get down that route and think about the idea of taking my own life. But it was something that crossed my mind pretty often, especially when you’re in a moment like that."
Thankfully, Love said he never went through with it, and talking about it openly helps him cope.
"If you’ve been down that road – and I don’t know if whoever’s gonna watch this has had those thoughts before – I think it does cross your mind," Love said. "And I’ve just learned to speak my truth, honestly. I’ve learned that nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say. So, me keeping that in is actually more harmful.
"So, I think that’s been the biggest and most helpful thing for me is exposing it, understanding that it is going to make me vulnerable and maybe put me in a spot where for most people it could be tough. But I know that there’s a whole group and strength in numbers out there of people that are dealing with it. And if we have more people that pay it forward – like we’ve seen across a number of sports, a number of walks of life – that’s going to be better."
Love has been at the forefront of raising awareness for mental health, anxiety, depression and related issues for several years since first opening up about his own struggles earlier in his career.
The 32-year-old said he is wrestling with "imposter theory" -- feeling like he isn't deserving of his accolades or hasn't achieved enough in his career.
Elsewhere in the interview, the UCLA product touched on how the coronavirus crisis and political turmoil have exacerbated mental health issues for many.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in distress and their loved ones. The 24/7 line can be reached at 1.800.273.8255.