FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Chiefs linebacker and Carroll grad Drue Tranquill has dealt with mental health struggles since he was young.
“Mental health in general affects us all in some way shape or form,” Tranquill said. “I know as a young kid I struggled deeply with anxiety.”
Tranquill learned to work through those struggles in a positive way through help and meaningful conversations and never shies from an opportunity to talk about his journey with his mental health and athletics. When he got the chance to do just that here at RemedyLIVE’s annual texteractive event in his hometown, he signed right up.
“I’m in a stressful sphere where each and every day, and each and every weekend, I’m playing in front of thousands of people and so this fear and this doubt and all that stuff can creep in,” Tranquill said. “It’s an ongoing battle, and I know there’s going to be a lot of people in the crowd facing their own battles. Hopefully, through Clinton and I’s conversation we can inspire and give hope to a community of people who need it.”
For people with RemedyLIVE, the platform that Tranquill gained through his success in the NFL, and his willingness to be vulnerable to help others, fit seamlessly into their goal this year of building bridges of trust to start conversation.
“A guy that grows up in this community and rises to the level of football that he has done, we’re just so proud of him,” RemedyLIVE CEO Clinton Faupel said. “The fact that he’s still using his voice to talk about the things we often don’t talk about; things like anxiety and struggle.”
“For people to think the NFL is so cool that I get to do opportunities like this, and share things that actually matter in life, it’s inspiring to me honestly,” Tranquill said.
While the event lasts just a single night, Tranquill hopes his words can inspire those in the audience and beyond to support RemedyLIVE’s fight to end the mental health stigma.
“They’re doing amazing work,” Tranquill said. “They’re connecting with people virtually. They’re doing events like this. They’re erasing the stigma around mental health and this idea that we can’t talk about this stuff. Let’s continue in the conversation, let’s support Remedy in their amazing work “
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