Javion Cohen, Alabama OL, reveals struggle with mental health
By Keith Farner
Published:
Javion Cohen shared a personal development this week that the Alabama offensive lineman is being treated for mental health issues.
Cohen shared that he has spent the past month at a rehabilitation facility in Massachusetts for “mental health reasons.” Cohen, a junior who started at left guard last season, wrote on Instagram, “the pressure we feel as athletes is unsurmountable and can be too much at times.”
He made 14 starts at left guard last season, and only missed 1 game because of injury. He was a key protector on an Alabama offensive front that opened holes and provided time for the nation’s No. 6 scoring offense (39.9 ppg).
for the past month i have been in rehabilitation for mental health reasons. the pressure we feel as athletes is insurmountable and can be too much at times. i don’t want to focus on the bad though, i want to shed light on the good that has come of this. (one of the lessons i learned here lol.) herren wellness has taught me so many things about myself and life that i am eternally grateful for. the biggest lesson, it’s okay to not be okay but it is not okay to not say you’re not okay. i know i’m not alone when i say i felt for the longest i had no support. no outlet to express my emotions too without feeling judged or being afraid to do so. being here taught myself and so many around me that that’s not true. being vulnerable does not make you weak, it actually shows how strong you are. i have plenty of tools i learned here that will help push me to be the man i want to be and it all started with a simple statement. “i’m not okay.” to anyone who feels like they are alone you aren’t. there are people in this world who are willing to help you but the first step is allowing them too. i encourage everyone reading this to put yourself first and stand up for your mental health. the struggle ends when you decide to talk about it. this has been an absolute blessing from God and i’m completely sure it will be for others too. seek the help you need and do not be afraid to be open about your troubles. forever grateful for herren wellness, my support system, and most importantly God for giving me the strength to go through this journey and make myself a better man. looking forward to life more and more every day! #umatter
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A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
