Kenny McKinley had an opportunity to play football at the highest level. Drafted in 2009 by the Denver Broncos, McKinley was finding his way as a young player and had several impressive kickoff returns during his rookie season.
But McKinley was out for the season due to an injury and was apparently suffering from life outside of football. On Sept 21., McKinley, 23, was found dead in his apartment in Denver. Police believe that his gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
The fact that a young man with a promising professional football career killed himself proves that black men continue to suffer from depression alone.
According to the Office of the Surgeon General, 12 percent of black and white men suffer from depression, but less than 6 percent of black men will receive mental treatment. Black men are less likely to seek professional help for depression because of the cultural tradition of internalizing their feelings, so they end up suffering alone. Blacks are also less likely to have adequate health insurance that would allow them to see a mental health physician on a regular basis.
However, there are several signs of depression that can allow you to seek help for someone who is suffering. –a.r.
–Irritability
–Changes in appetite
–Changes in sleeping habits
–Headaches
–Chronic fatigue
–Social withdrawal
For more information, contact the USA National Suicide Hotline at (800) 784-2433.
