Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck shares his struggles with mental health
Saint Paul Pioneer PressSep 08, 2022
“I struggled with mental health,” the
That story has been something Fleck has shared privately with his players since he came to
And that flashback is topical with the
On Monday in his office, Fleck picked up a pastel-covered paperback book titled “The Anxiety Solution: A Calmer Mind, A Calmer You” by
“It’s really good for me,” Fleck shared with the
Fleck wants his players to know it’s OK to not be OK and that toughness is not withholding emotions or feelings but finding a way to seek help and strive for self-improvement.
The football program has weekly Monday meetings with Fleck and non-coaching staff to discuss how players are doing. They will identify players who might be struggling — maybe it’s their body language, something someone said or their physical appearance and actions. There might be a warning from a poor performance in school or a struggle in their personal life. Injuries can be a clear precursor.
Then the leaders act. “That way we can all put our arms around him if there is something,” Fleck said.
After starring in last week’s 38-0 victory over New Mexico State, running back
“We just talk about everything I’m going through, and it got me through it,” he said on Big Ten Network. “Just expressing my emotions and understanding it’s OK to feel this way. I’m happy to just be back out here with my teammates.”
Ibrahim,
“It’s crucial,” Morgan said. “I think it’s something we don’t take for granted as a program with the resources we have, being a part of this program and being a part of this university. With
Fleck said he has a “small circle” of people he talks to about personal stuff at least once a week. “That is my way of being able to get that out,” he said on the radio. “I learned a long time ago, if it’s just your spouse taking that all on, then all they hear is the problems. Then that can all of a sudden affect the relationship.”
Fleck warned about the harms of social media on his players’ lives, how their self-worth is tied to what pops up on their phones and how that can take a hit if they receive negative feedback online.
Fleck said he spends “a lot” of his time on players’ personal lives and ways to help them better themselves. “I don’t know the percentage, but it’s a lot,” he said. “And it’s a lot more than it’s ever been.”
The
On Saturday, the
“You don’t want to force somebody to do something, but you are constantly putting those people in front of them,” Fleck said about providing helpful avenues and examples. “You are constantly sharing stories that had to do with your life that helped you through it.”
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