Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love was one of the first NBA stars to have pledged a hefty donation to those affected by the recent coronavirus pandemic. The 31-year-old recently donated $100,000 to support the arena workers of the Cavs organization. Their jobs are put in jeopardy due to the league suspension.
Love was praised for his generosity. But according to five-time All-Star himself, he has also benefited from this selfless act.
Why? It serves as a form of therapy for him.
The Generosity Serves as Therapy For Love
“We all feel some of that anxiety and stress and the unknown. At least that’s what really works me up and is really scary,” Love said of dealing with COVID-19, via Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. “Day to day with this thing, turning on the news and seeing the new reports and the numbers. It’s a really odd time to navigate things. But the community aspect, helping others and random acts of kindness. If you’re able to do it, it absolutely is what makes me and a lot of people feel better.
“It’s a common enemy. It’s a sense of being united. Nothing unites us like a common enemy. I feel, selfishly, helping, it’s a way of therapy for me.”
Love has been an advocate of mental health in the NBA. He himself has battled anxiety and depression in the past. He was one of the first in the league to speak up about what used to be a taboo topic. And as proven by his statement above, Love remains very open about his struggles up until this very day.
This serves as a great reminder for all of us to also pay attention to our mental health during these trying times. As Love explained, the stress and anxiety brought about by this unprecedented turn of events is not something we should ignore.