Angel Reese Advocates for Mental Health Awareness in Sports

In her hit single “Doo Wop (That Thing)” from her landmark album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill asked the question: ‘How you gonna win, when you ain’t right within?’ The premise is that one must take care of oneself in order to be successful. If anyone in the women’s basketball sphere knows a thing or two about answering that question, it is Chicago Sky and Rose BC forward Angel Reese.

Since joining the WNBA in 2024 as part of one of the most elite draft classes in league history, Reese has used her platform to call attention to mental health. It is an issue she has been outspoken about in context of the heightened scrutiny and over-policing she has faced, through no fault of her own.

Now, she is on repeat asking for everyone to prioritize their mental well-being following the apparent suicide of LSU football running back Kyren Lacy. Lacy was found dead in Houston at the age of 24.

Upon learning the news of the tragedy, Reese, a notable LSU alum, took to X/Twitter to express her sympathies and encourage her followers to care for themselves. ‘Mental health is real. Check on your people! You never know what someone is going through!’ she posted.

‘Mental health is real. Check on your people! You never know what someone is going through!’— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 13, 2025

Reese has been open about her mental health struggles in connection to the scorn levied at her by social media trolls who seek to dehumanize her. She said her toughest time was after the historic 2023 NCAA national championship game, where Reese’s LSU defeated Caitlin Clark and Iowa before a record audience of over 10 million viewers.

Reese received a barrage of hate rooted in absolute racism and sexism. After a two-week absence, she made her comeback on Nov. 14, 2023, scoring 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a victory against Virginia Tech. After the game, Reese emphasized the importance of mental well-being:

‘My mental health is the most important thing before anything, and I’m going to make sure I’m OK before anything because I don’t want to cause anything, harm, or any cancer in the locker room.’

Throughout her final college season, Reese worked to balance her on-court achievements while managing off-court vulnerabilities. After her team’s loss to Iowa in the 2024 Elite Eight, she reflected, ‘I just try to stay strong… I’ve been attacked so many times. Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened… All this has happened since I won the national championship and I haven’t been happy since then.’

Given what she has endured, Reese consistently emphasizes the importance of mental well-being. Following the recent tragedy at her alma mater, she is well-suited to speak publicly about this matter.

Athletes are often viewed as objects rather than people, and especially for Black female athletes, the pressure intensifies. The tragic loss of a peer should serve as a wake-up call. Instead of trolling Angel Reese, let’s listen to her message.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please reach out for help immediately. Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 free and confidential support services. You are not alone.