Tennessee Football: Brian Maurer shows strength, reveals battle with depression

Tennessee football quarterback Brian Maurer contemplated taking his own life this past January and explains the importance of mental health.

The winter blues are a real thing. Even for college athletes who look like they have everything going for them and Brian Maurer is no exception.

This past January, Maurer was planning to take his own life and then a miracle happened.

Maurer posted the story of how he was looking for a sign for why he shouldn’t take his own life on Instagram and then his mom called him two minutes later.

It’s incredibly difficult to open up about something like this, but Maurer showed his strength by doing so in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. He spoke openly about his intent to take his own life on Jan. 22 but asked for a sign and he got it. His mother called him with his baby nephew just to tell him that she “loved him” and that’s when he knew he would be causing more pain to others by taking his own life.

These types of stories will likely surface all month with people battling with anxiety and depression and hopefully feel-good stories like Maurer’s where he beat it thanks to someone he loves reaching out just to check in.

Everyone battles internal demons and some can’t overcome that struggle and unfortunately poor mental health wins on occasion. If you or any of your loved ones battle depression, check in on them regularly and let them know you’re thinking about them.

Also, if you or someone you know needs more help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Brian sparked a much-needed conversation to start the month of May.