Hailey Van Lith, a college basketball star, recently revealed her struggles with mental health, highlighting the immense pressure young athletes experience. In a heartfelt interview from TCU’s locker room, shared on X on March 23, the 23-year-old guard candidly spoke about the dark moments she endured early in her college career.

Van Lith stated that being “exposed to the media and social media at such a young age” significantly impacted her mental well-being. “When I was younger and in college, I was suicidal, I was heavily medicated, and I felt trapped,” she admitted. “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.”

Hailey Van Lith talks about her mental health struggles throughout her college career, and how this year has been such a blessing for her.

Really powerful message worth watching from the TCU guard pic.twitter.com/AzNU4oLPQw

— Nick Girimonte (@GirimonteNicky) March 24, 2025

Overcoming the Darkness: Van Lith’s Path to Healing

Despite achieving great success in basketball, Van Lith’s silence was a constant struggle.

“That’s what I mean when I speak on suffering and pain,” she said. “I didn’t even want to live.”

Thanks to years of self-reflection, therapy, and faith, Van Lith is now in a much better place. Her remarkable performance in TCU’s victory over Louisville, where she posted 16 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds, was a testament to how far she has come.

“To come from that to this is incredible,” she said after the game.

The Role of Faith in Van Lith’s Recovery

The basketball star acknowledges her faith as the reason for guiding her through her darkest moment.

“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,” she shared. “He wants people to know my story. 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.”

A Star with a Mission: Inspiring Others On and Off the Court

The story of Van Lith is a powerful reminder that mental health struggles can affect even the most successful people. By sharing her journey openly, she aims to encourage others to seek help and find hope. Van Lith is determined to lead TCU to a deep run in the NCAA tournament as she nears the end of her college eligibility. The Horned Frogs are set to face Notre Dame in the next round on Saturday, March 29, and her resilience, both on and off the court, will undoubtedly inspire fans and fellow athletes alike.

Resources for Mental Health Support

Resources are available to those who face similar challenges. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.