CHRIS Ross, on a break from helping San Miguel win championships, will team up with former Alaska player Tony dela Cruz to establish a foundation that will help people with mental health issues.
The 34-year-old guard and mental health advocate hopes to use the PBA as his platform to reach out to as many people as possible.
“That will be out next step, to get a charity going so people can come to us," he said. "We have doctors and we have people who can really help out.”
The seven-time PBA champion also urged those who are battling mental health problems to come out of their shell and ask for help.
He's aware that people still find it hard to open up about their mental issues to their family and loved ones, afraid they'll be criticized and judged.
“It's still a sensitive topic, especially here in the Philippines," Ross said. "[That's why] I want to use my platform to reach out to those people and [to let them know] that there are a lot of people who will tell them that they’re not alone.”
To Ross, promoting understanding is imperative.
“That’s one thing we want to cross out, that you’re not crazy," stressed Ross. "That’s one thing that’s holding them back from reaching out to people because people automatically think that they are crazy. And it’s okay to ask for help, it’s okay that you’re not okay.”
Helping one person, to him, is a big step towards helping more people later on. “I feel like if you just reach out to someone and ask how they’re like you can help that one person and that person can help another person like a ripple effect.”
The former Best Player of the Conference concluded that no matter how difficult life can be, there’s always hope and there are people who are willing to lend a hand.
He emphasized that giving up is not and will never be an option.
“Life is beautiful, there’s so much to live for," Ross said. "There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. Just because some people are stuck in the dark place at one point doesn't mean they don't get to see it. I just want to tell them there is hope and things will get better.”
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