For five weeks spanning September to October, Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffin was listed on the Minnesota Vikings' injury report as dealing with a "non football related" issue. In uncharted territory for most NFL teams, Griffin returned to practice late October after dealing with mental health issues, including being evaluated at a Minneapolis-area hospital. 

On his return, Griffin declined to discuss the details of his situation, but acknowledged that it was "bigger than football." 

Similarly, Burnley F.C. forward Aaron Lennon spent two months dealing with a "stress-related illness" after being detained during his period of Everton F.C. in May 2017 under the UK's Mental Health Act. Returning to the pitch this year, Lennon has expressed his desire to support other players dealing with similar issues.

Mental health has long lived in the shadows of elite sports leagues. Unlike an ACL sprain or torn shoulder, mental health is often intangible, manifesting itself in seemingly invisible and confusing symptoms. In Griffin's case, it was a series of alleged events where he exhibited erratic behavior. For Lennon, he was found on the side of the road by police. 

In a March essay published in The Player's Tribune, All Star forward Kevin Love discussed the physical details of his November 2017 panic attack that forced him to leave a basketball game. "I ran back to the locker room. I was running from room to room, like I was looking for something I couldn't find. Really I was just hoping my heart would stop racing. It was like my body was trying to say to me, You're about to die. I ended up on the floor in the training room, lying on my back, trying to get enough air to breathe."

Since this essay, Love has been at the forefront of a number of athletes who have openly discussed their mental challenges, including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

As athletes continue to speak up, leagues are attempting to catch up to their needs. While leagues are often the leaders in physical training, surrounding their players with world-class trainers, gym facilities and nutritionists, mental health has largely been ignored. 

We will now take a look at some of the initiatives around the sporting world to expand the definition of well-being to include mental health.

Early this month Tish Guerin was hired as the Carolina Panther's in-house psychological clinician. Though it's not unusual for teams to hire or refer private psychologists to players, Guerin will join the team's network of doctors and specialists, and is believed to be the only active in-house psychological clinician in the league.

Guerin will have an office at the team's Charlotte stadium and is available to all players and their family members if needed.

Guerin talked to the Charlotte Observer about the unique challenges that professional athletes face, including moving to new cities, joining a new team, retiring or starting your career as a rookie. "They're all things that require you to be able to navigate in an area you were unfamiliar with."

Several high-profile Panthers players have supported the move including the team's all-time leading receiver Steve Smith who has talked about his own struggles with depression.

With prominent cases of the deleterious effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease caused by repeated head injuries, the NFL is paying more attention to the risk of suicide. In 2012, the league launched its "Total Wellness" initiative aimed at mental health, with a particular focus on suicide prevention.

Rugby's player-led efforts 

Scottish, Irish and English rugby have all seen mental health campaigns in the last year, many of which were led by players' associations. 

Following 18 months of research, Scottish Rugby announced its "Rugby for Life" campaign in March. Part of what it calls a "holistic approach" to player welfare, the campaign is aimed at educating, building awareness and being proactive in identifying and supporting players who may be dealing with mental health issues. 

A similar campaign, called "Tackle Your Feelings", is underway in Ireland. Focused on helping players take a proactive approach to their mental wellbeing, the campaign is fronted by fan favorite John Cooney who has been open about seeing a counselor after struggling with multiple injuries. 

The "Lift the Weight" campaign created by the Rugby Players Association has encouraged rugby players to seek help and offers assistance in areas such as inclusivity, transitioning out of the support and dealing with depression, among other issues.

NBPA's first mental health director 

Deemed by many to be one of the more progressive sports leagues, the NBA's Player Association hired its first mental health director this year. 

Dr. William D. Parham accepted the role this summer and has ambitious plans for addressing mental health in the NBA. He has discussed implementing a four-part plan including establishing a network of mental health professionals, a 24-hour hotline, an educational campaign and building relationships with players. 

Alongside a league effort, many players are taking their own initiative in encouraging greater conversation. Kevin Love has become an unofficial ambassador for the issue, as he hosts "Locker Room Talks" with other athletes about mental health.