Anyone who takes a quick trip to Twitter and finds Azurá Stevens’ handle will be linked to a page of enlightenment. The relationship she has created with her followers isn’t just rooted in her uplifting messages. Stevens has connected so well with people because her 280 Twitter characters display honesty and vulnerability.
“I don’t want anybody to ever feel like they’re alone,” said Stevens, who had 11 points, six rebounds and five blocks in the game. The Sky won 93-83 on Friday over the Washington Mystics. “I can’t help everyone personally, but being honest about some of the things I deal with might inspire someone else.”
Stevens invests in her mental health—through therapy—as she does her physical well-being. Communicating with someone who is listening to understand, not just to respond, has had a significant impact on her.
Last year, in the midst of what many would perceive as a historic season, one that included the Sky winning their first WNBA championship, Stevens was enduring a personal battle.
She recounted a struggle with her mental health last summer that undermined her appreciation for basketball to a point that alarmed her. A self-described private person, Stevens said most people had no idea what she was going through.
Experiencing one of life’s best moments and one of its toughest challenges at the same time provided an important takeaway for Stevens: Everyone is dealing with something.
“The more we talk about these things so people don’t feel isolated because of their mental well-being, the better,” Stevens said.
At the start of the season, Stevens told Sky that she wanted to be involved in the team’s mental health initiatives in any way she could. In partnership with OKRP and with the advice of psychiatrist and wellness coach Dr. Janet Taylor, Sky started planning a mental health resource network called The Net in April.
Net will officially start in Sunday’s game against the Connecticut Sun and is highlighted by the initiatives of the game and one Web page with mental health support services and organizations for everyone to use. Stevens, Rebekah Gardner, and Ruthy Hebard contribute directly to the initiative by sharing personal stories that debuted at Net website and appearing on a set of trading cards to be distributed on Sunday. The cards list each player’s tools to prioritize her mental health.
“Hopefully there will be young athletes in the crowd who will see us go through things as well, and we’ll feel more comfortable talking about their mental health,” Gardner said. “As humans, we need to recharge ourselves.”
To destigmatize mental health, a single initiative will not be enough.
Part of the WNBA’s effort includes league-wide recommendations, one of which is that all 12 teams have an on-staff mental health clinic that is available to all staff members throughout the season. The recommendations were implemented in 2018 and have been continuously evaluated by mental health experts. This is the first year these mental health recommendations have been required league-wide.
One issue Sky and the league are grappling with is how to provide universal mental health support throughout the year when the WNBA season lasts only four to five months.
“We can talk about it and work to reduce the stigma, but there needs to be a follow-up that requires environments and systems to be conducive to a positive mental health environment,” Sky mental performance consultant Patrice Whitfield said. .
