Star TCU guard Hailey Van Lith said she was suicidal and “at the depths of wanting to die” in candid comments Saturday about her mental health journey.
Moments after No. 2 TCU punched its ticket to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA women’s tournament with an 85-70 victory over her former Louisville team, the 23-year-old Van Lith openly recalled her struggles in the spotlight and being “heavily medicated.”
“The way that I got exposed to the media and social media at such a young age, I really struggled with mental health things,” Van Lith said in a video captured by Sports Illustrated.
“When I was younger and in college, I was suicidal, I was heavily medicated and I felt trapped. And you would never know because I was having a ton of success on the court, but internally, and in life in general, I was ready to be done.
“And so that’s what I mean when I speak on suffering and pain. It’s like I didn’t even want to live. So to come from that to this is incredible.”
Van Lith explained she heavily relied on her faith to get her through that time.
“I’ve been praying all year, like God, I know you’ve given me this testimony to share it with the world and shed your light and I think this is the year and this is the moment,” said Van Lith, who posted a double-double on Saturday. “He wants people to know my story and how.
“He’s just taken me literally from the depths of wanting to die to this moment of loving life. And even if basketball went away today, I truly would want to be here and love these people.”
Van Lith, who has 1.2 million Instagram followers and nearly 500,000 TikTok followers, became one of the faces of the NIL era.
She rose to popularity during her three seasons with Louisville, where she led the Cardinals to a Final Four appearance and two Elite Eights.
Van Lith transferred to LSU for the 2023-24 season and teamed up with Angel Reese, the No. 7 overall pick by the Chicago Sky in last year’s WNBA draft.
Although the Lady Tigers reached the Elite Eight, Van Lith wasn’t a fit for coach Kim Mulkey’s system.
Van Lith found success at TCU in her fifth and final year of eligibility.
She not only helped the Horned Frogs win the Big 12 title, but was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Player of the Year and the conference tournament MVP.
TCU will take on No. 3 Notre Dame Saturday in Birmingham, Al.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.