MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seahawks’ Kevin Pierre-Louis sends a message of gratitude

Oct 7, 2016, 2:21 PM

Seahawks, Pierre-Louis...

Seattle Seahawks' Kevin Pierre-Louis looks up as he stands with teammates during the playing of the national anthem before the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 11, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Kevin Pierre-Louis has received nothing but support since his struggle with depression was made public.

Pierre-Louis, who found out he was depressed around his junior season at Boston College, told The Seattle Times that his depression is chemical. He sometimes just can’t help how he feels.

Though the Times reported that he was nervous about reaction to the story, he wasn’t talking about his struggle for fans and teammates. “It’s for the person who needs it,” he told the Times.

And The Seahawks linebacker had no reason to be nervous after all. He’s already getting words of encouragement.

While speaking to KIRO Radio’s Rachelle Belle about depression in the startup community, Dr. Garrett Gilchrist said it can be difficult for people in this era to speak out.

“I think that one of the awful truths of our era and our country is that the definition of masculine almost prohibits you from speaking openly about this stuff,” he said. “American masculinity is strong and silent and you don’t talk about your emotions and how you feel, definitely, don’t talk about anxiety and depression. You don’t talk about therapy, you don’t see a therapist. That’s what a man is. I have so many strong, ugly words for that. It is just heartbreaking to think that that is a requirement of your gender.”

Dr. Gilchrist’s advice for people struggling starts basic: get enough sleep and exercise, eat well, take vitamins, and talk to the people in your life.

“It’s the basics that people cut off. ‘Well, I don’t have time to sleep, I don’t have time to eat right,’” he explained. “And that’s hard for people. So they come to the office and they’re going a hundred miles an hour, they don’t want to slow down. I’ve got to go to my next meeting, I gotta hurry up, blah blah blah, just fix me real quick. They’re looking for a quick fix. I feel like I have to re-educate people and start with the basics.”

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Seahawks’ Kevin Pierre-Louis sends a message of gratitude