Episode 8: Coach Jareem Dowling, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Kansas State University

The Just A Mom Podcast

*WARNING–This episode contains explicit talk about suicide and methodology.*

Introduction:
In this episode of the "Just A Mom" podcast, Coach Jareem Dowling's life journey is explored, focusing on his coaching career at Kansas State University and the loss of his brother, Leo. The conversation underscores the importance of mental health awareness and community support blending personal and professional experiences.

Reflecting on the Past

• Coach Dowling shares memories of his late brother Leo, emphasizing Leo's positive impact on the community, including his involvement in youth sports and his love for Adidas.
• He recalls the sudden and shocking loss of his brother.

Tragic News

• Coach Dowling remembers the day he received the heartbreaking call at the hospital, informing him of his brother's passing.
• He describes his initial shock and the overwhelming grief that followed.
• RJ, a player on Coach Dowling's team, offered invaluable support during this difficult time.

Grief and Loss

• Susie and Jareem discuss the painful experience of losing a loved one, focusing on Jareem's brother. They highlight the emotional toll and shock of such news.
• Jareem's sense of responsibility and the emotional impact on his family are discussed.

Mental Health Struggles

• Jareem opens up about his mental health struggles, including his initial reluctance to seek therapy. He describes feeling overwhelmed, experiencing sleep issues, and thoughts of self-harm.
• He reaches out to friends and loved ones for support and eventually confides in his guardian and a doctor.

Triggers

• Jareem reveals that his mental health struggles started a year before the most challenging period, triggered by colors and experiences.
• He shares his experiences during hospital visits and the importance of medical professionals taking his mental state seriously.

Supportive Friends

• Friends and colleagues, including Coach Tang and Dr. Hunter Taylor, provide vital support by checking on Jareem, ensuring he eats, and being there during challenging times.
• Jareem emphasizes the profound impact of having caring individuals by his side, supporting him through his mental health journey.

Return to the Same Hospital

• After an initial hospital visit, Jareem returns to the same hospital due to ongoing mental health struggles, feeling unsupported during the discharge.
• He reflects on a heartwarming moment when his brother George Tolson flies from Baltimore to support him.

Returning to Professional Responsibilities

• The segment touches upon Jareem's professional responsibilities as a college coach and the pressure to maintain normalcy while dealing with mental health issues.
• Jareem reaches out to his trainer, for support during times when he's unable to drive due to insomnia and anxiety.
• Coach Tang notices the signs of Jareem's anxiety and expresses concern about his mental state.

In the next part of this episode, we will follow Jareem's journey through admission to a mental hospital, where he faced fears and uncertainties while undergoing transformative experiences. This pivotal moment in his story marked the turning point toward recovery, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help and understanding one's mental health.

We'll also explore coping mechanisms and the ongoing path of mental health recovery. Coach Dowling's story is a testament to the power of a strong support system, the progress made in addressing mental health, and the impact of personal experiences on helping others.

Join us in the next episode as we continue to uncover Coach Jareem Dowling's remarkable journey and insights into mental health, resilience, and the power of community.