Knicks champion Karl-Anthony Towns opens up about grief for World Mental Health Day

Karl-Anthony Towns, the New York Knicks' All-Star big man, has opened up about his ongoing struggle with grief on World Mental Health Day. Just 10 days before the Knicks' championship celebration, the player marked the day by sharing his emotional journey following the death of his mother to complications from COVID-19 six years ago.

Towns recounted how the loss had taken away his love for basketball, making the sport feel "hollow." He confided in Arnie Kander, a wellness coach, who helped him articulate his emotions and find relief. The experience inspired Project Healthy Minds, a nonprofit that runs an annual World Mental Health Day festival in New York, offering yoga, art therapy, and speakers to promote mental health awareness.

The tech nonprofit hopes Towns' story will encourage others to seek mental health care. Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, a former NBA star and new board member of Project Healthy Minds, noted that such conversations are becoming more common among athletes. Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall and Gotham FC forward Midge Purce also shared their experiences with mental health, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose and resilience beyond performance.