Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has bravely shared his story of a suicide attempt in the new Netflix docuseries “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox.” Duran shares his mental health struggles to help fight stigma. He is trying to spark discussion about the invisible struggles that most people have and don’t talk about.
The 26-year-old Olympic athlete has been very open about his lifelong struggle with depression, a darkness that has only grown stronger throughout the years. Duran made it very clear that this was a turning point for him. He knew he needed to make his experience known in hope that it would help other men like him.
Duran’s parents, Octavio and Dena Duran, expressed their shock upon learning the extent of their son’s struggles. Though they had always been supportive, they had recently discovered the extent of his struggles. Octavio Duran never stopped pushing Jarren to be better. His approach got so extreme that he used weird tactics — including even pelting him with baseballs during practice rounds. This pressure combined with his upbringing left Jarren feeling like he was not enough.
In the docuseries, Duran continues to explore some of what he calls “demons” he was dealing with leading up to his attempt. As he remembers, “That was a really rock bottom point in my life. Like, I didn’t even want to be here period. The 2022 season was especially challenging for Duran, being a lightning rod for fan ire and vitriol. He ended up getting a two-game suspension for using a homophobic slur in response to a badgering fan. This severe punishment intensified his sense of hopelessness.
Even with these obstacles in mind, Duran has found ways to manage his mental health. He maintains a daily journal to process his emotions and has collected books filled with positive affirmations that help him navigate through tough times. He noted the importance of these practices in his life, stating, “I write, ‘Still alive,’ because I’m still here and I’m still fighting.”
Duran’s journey to mental health awareness began to take shape in a 2022 Mass Live interview, where he publicly discussed his struggles for the first time. He emphasized the importance of sharing his story: “Talking about this wasn’t easy, but it felt important.” He hopes that by being transparent about his experiences, he can reach those who might feel alone in their struggles: “And if my story can help even one person, then it was worth telling.”
The tattoo on Duran’s left wrist, which reads “F