BOSTON — For more than a year, Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has written the same reminder on his right wrist when he tapes up before games: “Still alive.â€
It wasn't until this week that the meaning of that message became clear.
Duran said in a Netflix show that was released on Tuesday that he tried to kill himself when his baseball career was sputtering in 2022. Sharing his story, he told reporters in his first public comments since the episode aired, was an attempt to “let people know that there's always hope.â€
“Ask for help,†he told a large contingent of reporters and TV cameras gathered around him in the Red Sox clubhouse before Boston's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I know it’s not easy," he said. “The resources, they’ve been there. It’s just when you’re going through it, you just don’t really want to talk about it. It’s just you versus you, and you just kind of shut yourself off from the world. And I mean, it’s pretty lonely.â€
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Although Duran has been open about his mental health struggles, he had not gone public with the suicide attempt until he was interviewed for the Netflix series “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox.†Even his parents did not know, he said in the interview, which took place last season.
Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran watches the flight of his double during third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Boston.
In a statement released through the team after the episode aired on Tuesday, Duran said: “Talking about this wasn’t easy, but it felt important.â€
“I knew that if I was going to share this, I had to be real about it,†he said. “A few years ago, I found myself in a dark place, but I’m still here, and I’m so lucky I am. And if my story can help even one person, then it was worth telling."
A seventh-round draft choice who was an All-Star last season, Duran was one of baseball’s top hitting prospects when he was called up to the major leagues in 2021. But he struggled early, and spent much of his first two seasons shuttling the majors and minors.
Duran said in the documentary that the expectations of the fans and media wore on him, and at times he felt players were treated like “zoo animals.†But he was even harder on himself.
“I couldn’t deal with telling myself how much I sucked every day,†he said. “I was already hearing it from fans. And what they said to me, (it’s not like) I haven’t told myself 10 times worse in the mirror. That was a really tough time for me. I didn’t even want to be here anymore.â€
Director Greg Whiteley then asked, “When you say, ‘here,’ you mean ‘here with the Red Sox’ or ‘here on planet Earth’?â€
“Probably both,†Duran said. He then described his suicide attempt.
Duran said on Tuesday that the decision to open up to the documentarians was spontaneous.
“I was kind of sitting there, kind of quiet, didn’t really think that it was a good moment to talk about it,†he said. “But then I thought this could possibly help people out there that don’t really want to talk about it. So I just took that leap of faith, and hoped that it was going to do more good than bad."
Duran’s Parents, Octavio and Dena Duran, said in a statement on Tuesday that they only recently learned the depths of their son’s mental health struggle.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran fields the ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boston.
“It was heartbreaking to hear,†they said. “We are beyond grateful that he is still here, that he has found the courage to keep going, and that he is using his voice to help others. If his story can help even one person, then it was worth sharing. We are incredibly proud of the man he is today and love him more than words can say. We will always be in his corner.â€
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Monday that Duran’s decision to tell his story will save lives. Team President Sam Kennedy called it “an act of courage that reaches far beyond baseball†and pledged the organization's full support.
“They’ve always been amazing to me,†Duran said. "I didn’t want it to be this thing where they treated me differently. But they’re still talking smack to me and I’m talking smack back to them. And we still have that love language. So it’s it’s been awesome.
And as Duran finished up with reporters on Tuesday, Red Sox pitcher Richard Fitts crossed the clubhouse wearing a T-shirt being sold to raise money for the Jarren Duran Community Foundation.
It's messages are the same as those Duran has been writing on his wrists. Stay alive, along with an expletive directed at his internal demons. (Last year, Duran was warned by Major League Baseball for wearing a different shirt with the same profane message during an on-field interview; he said the message helped him get through difficult times.)
Fitts said Duran has his teammates' support.
“It's awesome that he was able to share that. Him saying that helps a lot of people,†Fitts said. “Baseball's a game, and it brings people joy. But being able to reach people like that, it's bigger than baseball.â€
This story included discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at .
3 ways companies can prioritize employee mental health
3 ways companies can prioritize employee mental health
Mental health concerns were front and center for office workers adjusting to fully remote work environments at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between feelings of isolation, a never-ending news cycle, and the stress of staying safe, people sought support from their workplaces. A noted that employee benefits such as stress management, life coaching, and meditation programs increased in 2020. But, for many, it still wasn't enough. As the pandemic waned, industries that didn't give employees enough independence when it came to their work locations and how they allotted their time (such as dine-in restaurants, sporting events, and music concerts) saw the most employee exits, leading to the Great Resignation, Professor Dr. Isabell Welpe at the Technical University of Munich, told the .
Even today, employers are still working to restructure their approach to mental health support to boost morale and retention. In many cases, workers are recognizing those changes. The American Psychological Association's found that 71% of people think their employer is more concerned about their mental health now than in the past.
But even with good intentions, employers are still falling short in providing a workplace environment that prioritizes well-being and meets their workers' needs. Mental Health America's 2023 found that 81% of employees who experienced work stress in 2022 felt it impacted their mental health compared to the 78% who reported the same thing in the year prior. To support building better workplaces, analyzed academic research and news coverage to explore ways companies can prioritize employee mental health.
For some, the root of workplace stress begins with managers. SHRM's survey of 1,400 employees in 2024 cited poor management as one of the major stressors for employees, along with workload and understaffing. For others, it can mean things such as toxic workplace behavior, ambiguity in their role, and interpersonal conflict, according to of 30,000 employees in 30 countries. Self-efficacy, purpose, and belonging can help offset these feelings.
Since the pandemic, companies have invested in employee wellness programs, a practice that market research company MarketsandMarkets projects to be globally by 2026. However, many of these programs, which incorporate elements like meditation apps and online therapy, take a one-size-fits-all approach that overlooks broader and systemic workplace issues, according to an article published by the .
Christine Nicholl, founder of HR consulting company People X, told Stacker that in order to cultivate a psychologically safe workplace, offering programs that address mental health can only go so far. "You can have the best benefits in the world, but if somebody's burnt because their manager isn't leading effectively … they're probably going to go find somewhere else to work," she said. Keep reading to learn how companies can help their employees' mental health.
Ask the people
In Ashley Kera's eyes, there's still a stigma surrounding mental health. The founder and principal consultant at Kera Coaching & Consulting advises companies to take time to invest in making actionable changes.
"Rather than be reactive to employee issues, be proactive," she told Stacker. "How can you cultivate those cultures and provide systems and policies to really support them?"
Over the years, workers have spoken up on the policies and programs they want. When given the option to select from a list of 12 types of support they'd like to receive, the APA's 2022 survey found the top four chosen included flexible work hours (41%), a culture where time off is respected (34%), an option for remote work (33%), and a four-day work week (31%).
Experts caution companies not to fall into the trap of "carewashing" policies, an approach Harvard Business Review authors describe as "superficial care initiatives that workers may perceive as failing to tackle root causes" of workplace concerns. Instead, McKinsey Health Institute recommends a "holistic health" framework encompassing an employee's "physical, mental, social, and spiritual health." From there, companies can start to make changes for people individually, at the job level, within a team, and organizationally.
With flexible work arrangements becoming the norm in recent years, employees may need remote, hybrid, or in-person accommodations based on their role, workflow, and personal responsibilities. The APA advises companies to before presenting various options for workers so employees can determine which options best suit their circumstances.
Be good models
In her , Daroon Jalil found that while 73% of employees said their companies claim to care about mental health, almost half said those workplaces don't take actions that support this sentiment. She notes one way to cultivate a workplace environment that benefits mental health is for leaders to be positive models. For example, a leader telling colleagues they're taking a few days off to unwind after a lengthy work project is modeling good mental health care practices.
Companies can create work-life balance through four-day work weeks to help employees manage stress and productivity. Trials of the model in other countries have led to more productivity and a boost in mental and physical health, according to the .
It's also important for company leaders to proactively encourage workers to take advantage of the benefits available to them. Almost 70% of workers are unaware of what their employer offers, according to the SHRM. In Nicholl's experience, this information will sometimes exist on a company's intranet, an internal network where a business disseminates information to its workers, often without further advertisement.
"Sometimes you have a really great program that just sits on the shelf because nobody knows it's there," she said.
Train the leaders
New programs and policies don't become successful overnight. This process requires leaders to learn more viable ways to support workers, effectively train managers, and listen to employee feedback.
Kera advises companies to step back, listen, and get to know their employees instead of making assumptions about their needs. That can start with collecting feedback through anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes at town hall meetings, or conducting focus groups.
"What's the data telling you? What do they want? What's feasible?" she said.
Managerial training is also crucial to creating a more psychologically safe workplace. For example, a previous company Nicholl worked at focused on the role of managers because of their multiplier effect within an organization. The thought process was, "Take care of the manager, and they'll take care of everybody else," she explained.
Taking the time to improve a manager's interpersonal skills has proven to , according to a 2021 analysis published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. And it makes a difference on a day-to-day level. Those who have a supportive manager are not only more comfortable asking for support, but they're also more confident in providing feedback, according to Mental Health America's survey.
Restructuring an organization's mental health approach can seem daunting, but establishing goals and metrics, creating a plan to streamline them into existing workflows, and actively following up on its progress can leave a lasting impact on an employee's perception of the company. A found that reporting on how well a company is doing when it comes to the health of its employees could build trust between employees and companies.
"I'm a big believer [that] if you invest in the people, it's going to benefit your brand, bottom line," Kera said.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Elisa Huang. Copy editing and photo selection by Kristen Wegrzyn.
originally appeared on and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
The impact of stress on student mental health by the numbers
The impact of stress on student mental health by the numbers
Stress is a nearly universal experience among students, especially those in college. A World Health Organization (WHO)-supported of over 20,000 first-year students across nine countries found that 93.7% experienced stress in at least one major area, including finances, health, relationships, family, school, or loved ones' problems.Â
While it might just seem like a normal part of student life, stress in college students can actually have a serious impact. Data from the WHO study shows that higher stress levels were linked to increased odds of developing mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Similarly, found that common stressors—academic, family, extracurricular/job, and financial—directly lowered students' mental well-being, with academic and family pressures having particularly strong negative effects.
As such, can have lasting effects when left unaddressed, contributing to long-term emotional and psychological challenges. These studies, and others like them, point to the importance of addressing student stress early—before it takes a toll on their health, academics, and relationships.Â
To further explore the link between and mental health, looked at the data—including research on how different common stressors impact students' well-being and which mental health disorders are exacerbated by student stress. We also include some tips about how to manage stress effectively.
Academic stress is closely tied to mental well-being in college students—especially those who are nonbinaryÂ
It should come as no surprise that academic stress is a major factor influencing the mental well-being of college students. A of over 840 students found a "moderate" to "strong" relationship between academic stress and mental well-being (correlation coefficient = 0.53). The study's data reveal that as perceived academic stress, measured by the Perception of Academic Stress Scale (PAS), increased, mental well-being, assessed using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), decreased.Â
The effects of academic stress weren't felt equally among all students. The study found that nonbinary students reported the highest academic stress (mean PAS score of 70.5) and the lowest mental well-being (mean SWEMWBS score of 17.2). In contrast, male students reported the lowest academic stress (mean PAS score of 63.9) and the highest mental well-being (mean SWEMWBS score of 21.4). Female students fell in between, with an average PAS score of 67.2 and an average SWEMWBS score of 18.9. These differences highlight that nonbinary students experienced significantly higher academic stress and poorer mental health compared to their male and female peers.
There is a feedback loop between academic stress and depression among college students
It's not just that academic stress worsens college students' mental health—negative mental health symptoms can also hinder academic performance. confirms that stress—both academic and family-related—is a significant contributor to depression in students, which then negatively impacts their academic performance.Â
Family is a recurring source of stress that impacts student mental health
In addition to academics, research shows that family and family issues are a consistent source of stress for students. The above 2022 study found that while academic stress and family stress both contribute to depression, family stress has a stronger and more statistically significant impact on depression.Â
Also, data from the 2020 WHO initiative showed that more than half of respondents (56.7%) experienced mild stress in their family relationships. This stress was linked to four mental health conditions, with the strongest connection (43.9%) found with borderline personality disorder (BPD) compared to other stressors.
The negative mental health effects of stress can begin in high school for some students
Many experience chronic stress, which affects their academic success, mental health, and behavior—and often continues into college. According to a conducted by NYU researchers, nearly half of surveyed (49%) reported feeling great stress daily. Rates of daily stress were higher among female students (60%) than male students (41%). Homework was a consistently mentioned source of stress among these students, with nearly half (48%) doing at least three hours of homework per night (with girls doing more than boys).Â
The study found that stress persisted into college years, potentially leading to disengagement and mental health issues. Students reported using coping strategies like sports, exercise, and planning but also mentioned emotional exhaustion and substance use as common responses to continued stress during the college years.Â
How to cope with stress as a student
Balancing school, extracurriculars, and social life can be overwhelming, but there are ways to manage stress and protect your mental health. Here are three practical strategies for :
Set boundaries
It's important to create a healthy balance between schoolwork and personal time. Try setting a schedule for studying, taking regular breaks, and avoiding last-minute cramming. Learning to say no to extra commitments can also help prevent burnout.
Prioritize self-care
Taking care of yourself is just as important as keeping up with assignments. Get enough sleep, eat nourishing meals, and find time for , whether it's exercising, listening to music, or spending time with friends.
Seek support
If school stress feels overwhelming, don't hesitate to ask for help. Talk to a teacher, school counselor, or a trusted friend. If you need additional support, professional mental health resources can make a difference.
was produced by and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
