PBS’ production works alongside the nonprofit Athletes for Hope, which has high-profile advisors such as Stephen Curry, Katie Ledecky, Nathan Chen and Elena Delle Donne. To learn more about the series and what PBS and Athletes for Hope want to accomplish, Cynopsis Sports caught up with AFH’s Chief Wellbeing Officer Dr. Mena Mirhom.
Why was Jack’s story a fit for the ‘Out of the Dark’ series, and how does it reflect the broader mission of the Athletes for Hope Wellbeing program?
Jack’s story captures exactly what “Out of the Dark” is meant to do: illuminate the mental health struggles that often remain invisible in young people, especially athletes, and show how honesty, connection, and support can lead to real healing. His experience with anxiety and panic attacks pulled him away from the game and into isolation, a pattern we see far too often in sports. Research consistently shows that anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in young people, with nearly one in three adolescents experiencing clinically significant anxiety by early adulthood. Among college athletes, rates of anxiety and emotional distress are comparable to, and in some studies higher than, those of their non-athlete peers.
By opening up to his coach, Jack took a critical step out of the dark. That moment reflects the heart of the Athletes for Hope Wellbeing program: reducing stigma, normalizing mental health conversations and creating environments where athletes feel safe asking for help. Jack’s story reminds us that mental health challenges do not discriminate by talent, achievement or toughness, and that asking for help is not a weakness, but a necessary and courageous step forward.
How was the film designed to reach sports fans who might not actively seek out mental health-related content?
While the film centers on Jack’s mental health journey, the directors were intentional about leading with Jack the person, not just the struggle. Viewers first meet the young athlete who grew up loving soccer, earned a spot at Georgetown and delivered under pressure by converting a penalty kick in a national championship match his team went on to win. Those moments matter because sports fans connect first through identity, effort and performance.
By weaving Jack’s defining athletic experiences into the narrative, the film creates a natural entry point for audiences who may not be seeking out mental health content but deeply understand sport. His anxiety is not portrayed as separate from his athletic life, but as part of the whole human experience of being an athlete. That framing mirrors what we know clinically: mental health does not exist in a vacuum. It shapes performance, relationships and identity. The result is a story that feels familiar, honest and accessible to fans who might otherwise scroll past conversations about mental health.
What do you want viewers, coaches, athletic directors, or anyone involved in athletics to take away after watching the film?
Our hope is that this film continues to shift the culture of sports by reinforcing a simple but powerful truth: mental health deserves the same seriousness, care, and legitimacy as physical health. We would never expect an athlete to play through a torn muscle or an untreated concussion, yet too often, athletes are expected to endure anxiety, panic or emotional distress silently. The data are clear. Untreated mental health conditions impact performance, recovery, team dynamics and long-term well-being.
The film also underscores the importance of open, ongoing dialogue between athletes, teammates, coaches, and athletic leadership. Coach Brian Wiese, who is featured in the film, models what this can look like in practice. When Jack first opened up to him, that conversation became a turning point not just for Jack, but for the culture around him. By responding with support rather than judgment, Coach Wiese helped create an environment where mental health is acknowledged, supported, and never stigmatized. That kind of leadership does not just change individual lives. It reshapes entire programs and sets a new standard for what healthy, high-performing sports environments can be.
