In 2018, DeMar DeRozan was seemingly on top of the world.
To be an NBA All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist is something most people only dream of. And to do so alongside your best friend as the beloved face of a franchise knocking on the door of success in the NBA is almost unfathomable.
So it came as a shock to many when in 2018 DeMar tweeted:
This depression get the best of me...
It was a tacit admission of vulnerability by a superstar who had it all. And, with a simple sentence, he showed that heroes are human too. DeMar’s acknowledgement of his mental health struggles also prompted the NBA to review its mental health policies and create programs to support players who are struggling.
This tweet would set him on a course that would one day lead him to write a memoir about his own struggles with depression entitled Above the Noise.
On September 12, 2024, CAMH had the honour of hosting DeMar to talk candidly about his book, where he was joined by the Honourable Marci Ien, Federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth.
While his book tour featured several stops around Toronto, his visit to CAMH held special significance: the audience was largely made up of young people and their families - some receiving care at CAMH, others with lived experience, and many from equity-deserving communities. The Arrell Family Foundation Auditorium was packed with excited young people, eager to hear DeMar’s perspective on life.
During the hour-long conversation, DeMar and Minister Ien spoke about his upbringing as a Black kid growing up in a loving and supportive household in Compton amidst overwhelming external pressures. They talked about his early years in the NBA, his relationship with former teammate Kyle Lowry and coach Dwayne Casey, and shared how he arrived at success. Most poignantly, DeMar spoke about his growth from a talented teenager thrust into the spotlight, to a loving father who is using his platform to shine a light on mental health to influence the lives of youth.
When asked about the tweet, DeMar deflected praise. “(I was) just acting in the moment and being impulsive, and it opened a door that was deeper than just me. And to have people speak their truth and share their story and show vulnerability – I never wanted to take credit – but to hear their words was definitely humbling.”
Youth in the crowd listened in rapt attention as DeMar shared the mindset that brought him to the heights of NBA stardom and has given him strength as a father.
“As a young athlete of colour learning and having my own struggles, when I listened to DeMar, it made me realize that I wasn’t alone and that I can always go for help in many places. No matter how alone I feel, there will always be help and always somewhere I can go,” said Joshua, one of the youth in attendance.
“Hearing DeMar up close meant a lot to me that night,” said Tayla, another youth in the audience. “It made me realize we are not alone in our mental health struggles, whether you are an NBA superstar or a teenage athlete trying to get better. We are all human, we all struggle. DeMar inspired hope and how we can learn from these struggles.”
“It is heartwarming to know that DeMar still sees the city of Toronto as part of his community, even though he no longer has professional ties here.” said Dre, a youth advisor from the Black Youth Online Network. “It means a lot that he is reinvesting into a city that has invested a lot into him. My biggest takeaway would be how terribly humbling the entire experience was - because DeMar is such a humble man himself. With his ego removed, it made way for vulnerability and authenticity which is refreshing considering his fame and status.”
Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, CAMH’s Senior Vice-President of Education and Chief Medical Officer (and avid Toronto Raptors fan), was also excited to hear him speak." Just as DeMar opened the door for so many athletes to share their own mental health experiences through one tweet, DeMar's visit to CAMH opened the door for so many youth in attendance to share their own stories to increase mental health awareness and hope."
DeMar currently plays for the Sacramento Kings, where he hopes to find playoff success. But regardless of his on-court performance, and his undeniable legacy with the Toronto Raptors, it’s clear that his sights are set on something bigger than basketball.
“If it means that it could help somebody else, then it’s bigger than me. And I hope my own kids know that I’m brave."
DeMar’s memoir Above the Noise is available now at your local bookstore, and online where books are sold.
CAMH would like to thank the Toronto Raptors for generously donating copies of DeMar’s memoir to youth in the audience.
