High school students from Bertrand, Holdrege, and Loomis attended an assembly regarding the stigma of Mental Health and how one should not have to suffer in silence. Coach Mark Potter, spoke about his bout with depression, during the height of his basketball coaching career. His speech was profound and moving. He inspired students while providing hope for recovery. His wife, Nanette, also shared the perspective of the family’s side, which is the often forgotten side of mental illness, and how to be aware when a friend or family member may be struggling. The assembly was hosted by the Phelps County Safe Communities Coalition and Phelps Memorial Health Center.
“When it comes to mental health, society has chosen to stay silent. That’s why my wife and I are here to tell you about our personal journey, ” said Potter.
Potter and his wife, Nanette, are a duo package working diligently to be advocates to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.
He told students, “Speak up. Speak Out. Tell someone you are struggling. The stigma has gone on too long. There are way more people struggling than you know.”
Coach Potter was the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Division II Newman University when he began a descending spiral into depression. Potter was an outstanding basketball and baseball player and played both sports at the collegiate level. He coached for 19 years and is known as the winningest basketball coach in Newman's history.
Potter shared about his dark moments of depression and Nanette discussed the role as a caregiver and the road she took to get help for someone she loved. Coach tells his story to educate people about depression and encourage those who suffer from mental illness to seek help, get treatment, and find a way to live productively with mental illness.
Potter has been coach of the year five times and named top 15 most influential people in the Wichita sports world. He has been inducted into the Cowley College Hall of Fame, The Newman Hall of Fame, the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame, and most recently, the National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame. In 2013, the basketball court at Newman University was named the “Potter Family Court”.
During his presentation, he encouraged students to be as kind as possible to people because we don’t know what others are dealing with.
Mrs. Potter said, “I learned that depression doesn’t discriminate. He told me he couldn’t live this way anymore.” She added, “I knew at that very moment the only thing I could do wrong, was nothing.
“Someone dies of suicide every 10 minutes,” stated Potter.
Her hope is that their story will change the way people think and it is okay to not be okay.
Coach Potter considers his battle with severe depression and his rise to victory as a “National Championship”.
Coach Potter said, “Change the way you think, don’t be afraid to ask for help”.
More information can be found on their website: https://www.d2up.org/
National Suicide Prevention line: 988 (call or text)
Youth Line- Text "teen2teen" to 839863 or call 877-968-8491
National Child Abuse Hotline- Call or Text 800-422-4453
Crisis Text Line: Text "Hello" to 741-741
