Michigan JJ McCarthy Nov 19, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) rushes in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Mental health is very important to Michigan Wolverines starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and he opened up about his mental health journey this week.

During a recent press conference, J.J. McCarthy revealed that his mental health journey goes all the way back to his high school days at IMG Academy.

“I got into it because my senior year at IMG Academy I was going through depression,” McCarthy said. “I was in a deep rut for myself, studying all the athletes, their mindsets, trying to adopt them in every way to forge the ultimate mindset as a competitor. I just kept going further from myself and my true nature. I feel like it just — I was in a deep rut for about a month or two and I was like, something has to change. This isn’t who I am.”

McCarthy said that meditation has been big for him in helping him improve his mental health.

“I started looking up different practices to help improve mental health and meditation was the first one that kept popping up. I gave it a try and the rest was history. It’s a beautiful practice. It’s really hard at first, but I recommend that people continue to press on with it and stay disciplined because the effects are tremendous.”

McCarthy will be trying to lead Michigan to a national championship on Monday night against the Washington Huskies.

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