KD wants to raise mental health awareness: 'People go through so much inside'

Kevin Durant is calling for more open discussion about mental health issues and increased support to help people cope, especially youth.

"It's something that needs to be discussed and talked about more," the Golden State Warriors forward told The Athletic's Anthony Slater. "I know it's difficult because it's hard to figure out exactly what somebody's thinking and you have to dive deep into somebody's mind and, I guess, background to help somebody out.

"But I think we can definitely be better at helping, especially at a younger age with these kids who may be going through a lot. We need more mentors, more older folks to guide the younger kids through this life. ... Mental health is just something we need to talk about at schools and in the workplace. So many people go through so much inside."

Durant, 29, believes ending the stigma around mental health and providing support to young people will go a long way toward solving a lot of the nation's problems.

"It just feels like we need more mentors and that younger generation needs more love and care. That's a broad statement, but I just feel like that's the root of the problems," he said. "Sometimes, these young boys, young girls just need somebody to talk to. That's going back to our communities and not just giving back money, but giving back time, sharing our experiences."

The 2014 MVP has shown a commitment to giving back and empowering youth. He spent Tuesday's day off in D.C. touring the National Museum of African American History and Culture with his teammates and 40 students from his hometown of Seat Pleasant, Md. He recently committed $10 million to College Track to help students from under-served neighborhoods reach and graduate from college, and gifted $3 million to his alma mater Texas to support both the basketball program and the Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation.

Mental health is becoming a hot topic in the NBA, with NBPA executive director Michele Roberts announcing last week the players' association and the NBA are creating a mental wellness program for the players.

A recent and high-profile example shows why it's a smart move, as Toronto Raptors star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan opened up about his battle with depression. Meanwhile, earlier this season, Boston Celtics small forward Gordon Hayward said he was experiencing depression during rehab from his horrific leg injury, while Los Angeles Lakers big man Channing Frye revealed he was engulfed in a deep depression in 2016 after he lost both his parents.