What do Netflix, Major League Baseball, and Suicide Awareness have in common?
Right now, Jarren Duran.
On April 8, an eight-part series was released on Netflix that documents a year of Red Sox baseball. Entitled, The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox, the series deep-dives into the lives of the players and the dynamics of the team. One aspect of the series that has garnered much attention: Duran’s mental health struggles and suicidal ideation.
In the wake of the series release, news outlets have been flooded with stories about Duran, his mental health journey, and specifically, his openness discussing suicidal thoughts. Talk Sport reported, “But the fourth episode, titled ‘Still Alive’ revealed just how dark it got for him, as pressures on the field and the feeling of not living up to his own sky-high expectations left him suicidal.”
We know that reducing stigma around mental health and openly discussing suicide is critical to the mission to solve for suicide within the military community - and beyond. It begs the question, what can we learn from celebrities discussing their mental health and specifically suicidality? What opportunities does this present?
There is inherently great interest in the lives of celebrities and prominent athletes. Sometimes the general public is interested in the products they are using or the brands they are wearing. However, we should not overlook the opportunity for deeper influence, such as their mental health journey. As a result of the pre-existing widespread interest in their lives, celebrities have a unique ability to create large-scale conversations about critical topics. That is what we are seeing happen with Duran’s story.
While the everyday person may not have the social media following or fandom that Duran has, we each do have a sphere of influence and opportunity to speak up. Consider how you can create safe situations for others to share about their experiences. Remember, you don’t have to be afraid to say the word suicide and there are a wealth of resources available to guide you as you open up to others and invite them to do the same.
Another great outcome of Duran sharing is that he has a captive audience that is not only talking about the topic of suicide but is also actively listening. To help others who are experiencing mental health challenges or who are experiencing suicidal thoughts we must listen well. The Netflix-nature of this particular situation is inviting people from across the country to slow down, turn on their TVs and consider the lived experience of someone who has had a difficult journey. Additionally, it pushes past assumptions about who Duran is to reveal the behind-the-scenes struggles.
There is a lesson for all of us who wish to be part of the necessary change around mental health awareness and specifically, suicide prevention efforts. We have got to listen.
Our Chief Clinical Officer, Sonja Batten, Ph.D., emphasizes how critical it is to listen well to individuals as they share about their mental health journey and especially if they are discussing past or current suicidal thoughts. Dr. Batten said, “A lot of times, people just don’t know how to start the conversation. But it can be as simple as: ‘It seems like you’re having problems lately with [sleep/pain/anger/whatever you have noticed]. How is that affecting you?’ Or if you’re concerned that the person is suicidal, you can add: ‘Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself or doing something to make it end?’ You can just be matter of fact, express care, and open the door to the conversation. And then stop talking. Listen. Be okay with silence so that the person has room to open up.”
It takes courage to speak up and share about struggles. One ESPN article quotes Red Sox Team President, Sam Kennedy, describing Duran’s disclosure as "an act of courage that reaches far beyond baseball." We absolutely agree as the ripple effect impact is so clear.
It is much easier to share our highlight reels on social media or to celebrate the mountain top moments of life. There is vulnerability required to discuss the difficult days and moments. However, when one of us chooses to speak up with courage, we invite others to do the same.
Duran using his voice, platform, and celebrity to share about his suicidal thoughts has been and will undoubtedly be a catalyst for courage within others. It is brave to speak up and say the words, “I need help.” It takes courage to be open about mental health struggles and suicidal ideation. However, as we each choose to use our voice with vulnerability, we collectively strengthen. Our resolve to solve for the suicide crisis, within the military community and beyond, finds new fuel.
Whether you are a baseball fan (or not) and whether you watch the new Netflix series (or not) we sincerely hope that Duran’s candid discussion of his journey will invite you to pause and consider how you may get involved in suicide prevention efforts within your own sphere of influence. Just as baseball is a team sport, and requires the talent and heart of so many, the same is true of suicide prevention. We can’t do this work alone and we can’t solve this wicked problem alone - we must do it as a team, together.
Jarren, thank you for speaking openly and with courage! We stand with you as you seek to make others feel comfortable speaking up and asking for support. We also can't overlook your connection to the military community, through your brother's service. Please know that we are in this shared fight with you and will keep advancing in our mission.