Breaking the Silence: Charles Haley Shares His Mental Health Journey
Breaking the Silence: Charles Haley Shares His Mental Health Journey
(NOTE: Thank you to NAMI Greater Athens TX for allowing me to interview Charles Haley Wednesday night before all the events. This story comes from that interview. -- Michael)
By Michael V. Hannigan | Photos courtesy Richard Hawkins and Toni Garrard Clay
On the field, Charles Haley spoke loudly with his play. A member of the NFL Hall of Fame and a five-time Super Bowl champion, Haley was a ferocious defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in the 80s and 90s.
Off the field, it was a different story.
This week, the Hall of Famer was in Athens to speak about his personal battle with mental illness at the "Empowering the Youth of Tomorrow" event organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Athens TX.
Haley was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after retiring from the NFL, and has become an advocate for breaking the silence surrounding mental illness. Speaking about his own experience, Haley said, “When keep your mouth closed, you don't let people know what's going on inside of your head.”
Haley shared his message Wednesday night at a private event sponsored by NAMI and then again Thursday morning at an assembly at Athens High School, followed by a visit to the football team in the field house.
His message is one of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
“Society, parents, they teach kids not to be emotional, especially men—not to show feelings,” Haley said. “Football masked my mental illness, because everybody told me, ‘A man doesn’t cry.’”
For those struggling with their mental health, Haley’s advice is simple: “You just gotta find people that you believe in and you could trust to talk to.”
‘Silence is a Killer’
The struggle began early for Haley, who said he realized there was a problem during high school.
“I didn't have any friends," he said. "I was scared to let people get near me. And I took that little scared boy to college, and you know, he was always crying for help.”
Despite seeing a psychiatrist in college, Haley continued to keep his struggles to himself.
“I still never let any player or coach know what was going on inside of me,” he said. “And then I took that to the NFL, and I just pushed people away. I didn't want them to see that angry kid inside of me.”
This reluctance to ask for help, Haley said, had a devastating impact on his personal life. “It destroyed everything that I loved, especially my family, because I wouldn't ask for help.”
Haley described how his mood could change instantly, depending on how people approached him. “I could turn on a dime,” he said.
Though he had a tough exterior, Haley said that he is deeply introverted.
“I'm still that same coward that doesn't want people to know what's going on inside of me,” he said. “When I'm around people, I do things because I need to. When I'm at home (alone), I can find peace.”
Getting Help
Haley said it wasn’t until later in life that he found effective treatment. He talked about the difference he saw in himself after getting his medication balanced.
“That was the first time I could ever look out the window, and it seemed so clear,” he said. “My mind was so clear, you know, the anger, everything.”
Now, Haley takes his medication daily and has learned to recognize his emotional cycles.
“I know my cycles,” he said. “I know that if I go up, I need to slow down, because what goes up comes down, and that bottom—I don't want to go there.”
A key part of Haley’s recovery has been finding something to live for during tough times.
For Haley, his faith in Jesus Christ has been his anchor. “For me, mine is Jesus Christ because I know if I kill myself, I can't have a relationship there.”
He encourages others who are struggling with dark thoughts to find that one thing that can keep them grounded.
“Find one thing to live for,” he said. “Find that one thing to live for, and get out my face for about a couple of weeks, and then come back and tell me what that one thing is.”
One of the most important lessons Haley has learned is that mental health cannot be managed alone.
“I can't do it alone,” he said.
When he’s in a low point, Haley’s family and friends step in. “I tell my family and my friends that I'm in that down zone, and they start knocking on the door. ‘Come on. Let's go for a walk. Let's go eat.’ They get me outside of my head and pick my spirits back up.”
From NFL champion to mental health advocate, Haley's story is a reminder that even the toughest battles can’t be fought alone. By sharing his mental health journey, Haley continues to inspire others to speak up, seek help, and find something meaningful to live for.
His message to the students of Athens—and to anyone struggling with mental health—is clear: You don’t have to face it in silence.
(Sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy)
e Super Bowl champion, Haley was a ferocious defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in the 80s and 90s.
Off the field, it was a different story.
This week, the Hall of Famer was in Athens to speak about his personal battle with mental illness at the "Empowering the Youth of Tomorrow" event organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Athens TX.
Haley was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after retiring from the NFL, and has become an advocate for breaking the silence surrounding mental illness. Speaking about his own experience, Haley said, “When keep your mouth closed, you don't let people know what's going on inside of your head.”
Haley shared his message Wednesday night at a private event sponsored by NAMI and then again Thursday morning at an assembly at Athens High School, followed by a visit to the football team in the field house.
His message is one of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
“Society, parents, they teach kids not to be emotional, especially men—not to show feelings,” Haley said. “Football masked my mental illness, because everybody told me, ‘A man doesn’t cry.’”
For those struggling with their mental health, Haley’s advice is simple: “You just gotta find people that you believe in and you could trust to talk to.”
‘Silence is a Killer’
The struggle began early for Haley, who said he realized there was a problem during high school.
“I didn't have any friends," he said. "I was scared to let people get near me. And I took that little scared boy to college, and you know, he was always crying for help.”
Despite seeing a psychiatrist in college, Haley continued to keep his struggles to himself.
“I still never let any player or coach know what was going on inside of me,” he said. “And then I took that to the NFL, and I just pushed people away. I didn't want them to see that angry kid inside of me.”
This reluctance to ask for help, Haley said, had a devastating impact on his personal life. “It destroyed everything that I loved, especially my family, because I wouldn't ask for help.”
Haley described how his mood could change instantly, depending on how people approached him. “I could turn on a dime,” he said.
Though he had a tough exterior, Haley said that he is deeply introverted.
“I'm still that same coward that doesn't want people to know what's going on inside of me,” he said. “When I'm around people, I do things because I need to. When I'm at home (alone), I can find peace.”
Getting Help
Haley said it wasn’t until later in life that he found effective treatment. He talked about the difference he saw in himself after getting his medication balanced.
“That was the first time I could ever look out the window, and it seemed so clear,” he said. “My mind was so clear, you know, the anger, everything.”
Now, Haley takes his medication daily and has learned to recognize his emotional cycles.
“I know my cycles,” he said. “I know that if I go up, I need to slow down, because what goes up comes down, and that bottom—I don't want to go there.”
A key part of Haley’s recovery has been finding something to live for during tough times.
For Haley, his faith in Jesus Christ has been his anchor. “For me, mine is Jesus Christ because I know if I kill myself, I can't have a relationship there.”
He encourages others who are struggling with dark thoughts to find that one thing that can keep them grounded.
“Find one thing to live for,” he said. “Find that one thing to live for, and get out my face for about a couple of weeks, and then come back and tell me what that one thing is.”
One of the most important lessons Haley has learned is that mental health cannot be managed alone.
“I can't do it alone,” he said.
When he’s in a low point, Haley’s family and friends step in. “I tell my family and my friends that I'm in that down zone, and they start knocking on the door. ‘Come on. Let's go for a walk. Let's go eat.’ They get me outside of my head and pick my spirits back up.”
From NFL champion to mental health advocate, Haley's story is a reminder that even the toughest battles can’t be fought alone. By sharing his mental health journey, Haley continues to inspire others to speak up, seek help, and find something meaningful to live for.
His message to the students of Athens—and to anyone struggling with mental health—is clear: You don’t have to face it in silence.
(Sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy)