Kristen Monfort-Palomino grew up with a basketball in her hand. The sport was a family affair; her parents were coaches and she really got into basketball when she was eight.

In the 2012-13 season, Monfort-Palomino her love of the sport stopped suddenly. She was playing at SAIT in Calgary when she started to struggle with mental health issues and lost her passion for basketball. Her depression kicked into high gear when her father left the family and moved to Ontario. She withdrew from her friends and family and stopped playing basketball.

In 2016, her father died. His death kick-started Monfort-Palomino’s decision to get back into the sport they both loved.

“In some senses, I may have done it kind of in memory of him,” she told Alberta Primetime.

Monfort-Palomino started opening up to those around her about her struggles with depression. She spoke with a councillor about strategies to manage it and got help medically. Being back on the basketball court may have helped her most.

“It’s really taught me to love things again and enjoy something that has been so close to my heart for so long,” Monfort-Palomino said. “It’s also taught me it’s not the end of the world if things don’t go right, right away.”

Monfort-Palomino wants others dealing with mental health issues to realize they are not alone and help is available.

“If you can step outside yourself a little bit and just admit you need help, it’s really there for you,” she said.