How Sports Friendships Can Protect Mental Health

Psychology Today | 15.05.2026 08:09
I recently caught up with Kevin Love to talk about the power of friendship through sport. Long before he became one of the most visible voices in men’s mental health, basketball gave him a place to express himself. It shaped his identity, gave him structure, and offered a sense of emotional safety. But as Love has made clear through publicly sharing his story, the game of basketball was not enough to save him from the depths of depression and anxiety. What ultimately helped protect him was not just being on a team, but the friendships that sport offered him.