"The Mental Game" by Brandon Saho

TW: mentions of suicide and depression

Have you ever felt that hopeless numbing feeling that you get when you hit rock bottom? The feeling that gives you a single escape, an escape that will last forever. Feeling suicidal is very serious and unfortunately, it is very common. Brandon Saho, a Cincinnati journalist, has created "The Mental Game". “The Mental Game” is a podcast that he hosts with different celebrities and big names in music, sports, and entertainment. He talks about his guests' journey with mental health, depression, and potential suicidal feelings. This podcast is one that I have grown very fond of because a lot of the time suicide feelings are tip-toed around and there is a stigma around it, but he addresses it. It's real, so let's get into it.

"I have always felt alone. I don't know why, but I do. The first time I thought about suicide I was 14 years old. The last time I thought about it, was six months ago" Saho shares as he opens his first published video on "The Mental Game". Just from this sentence, you can tell that these topics are heavy and hard to talk about, but that is because there is such a stigma around mental health. Part of Saho's reasoning for this podcast is to be able to relate to the celebrities and stars that we all look up to. They are human too, and they struggle with the same shit that we do. However, in the first video, Saho starts with his own story. His battle with depression was on and off for most of his life and about a year and a half ago now was the last time he acted on his suicidal thoughts, and was eventually hospitalized. This gave him the chance to take a break from the world and solely focus on himself and his own mental health. From this, he was able to find happiness in his life, and "[. . .] today I can tell you I will never let that terrible thought enter my mind again".

He is truly inspiring. I can't lie, I have had a lot of struggles with mental health and to be able to turn those horrible feelings into motivation is one of the hardest things that you could do. Although I am not at his level yet, I hope to reach it someday. The bravery that it takes to be entirely open with suicide attempt stories and the genuine feelings of intense depression is more than most people think. After listening and watching this podcast I can say that I have learned quite a bit. There are some celebrities who I never thought I could relate to, but I learned they have been through the same depression, and suicidal thoughts as I have.

Mental health has become a common barrier for most people these days, and it can be easy to forget that celebrities worry about the same obstacles as “normal” people do. I find it inspiring that they can talk about their stories publicly because it is a big deal sharing a story with that level of honesty and vulnerability. So, to those who have been open with the public about mental illness and suicide, I raise an imaginary glass, because those celebrities allow me to be open with my mental health. If they can do it, then I can do it too. Now I'm not going to be sharing a depressing or traumatic one of my stories because I'm not quite there, for now at least. But, I know that if someone asks, I will always be open and honest with how I'm feeling with not only myself, but my family, friends, and, of course, therapist.

https://www.youtube.com/@MentalGamePods

k…now rage