Nicole fears losing hubby Phelps to depression

Michael Phelps with wife Nicole

American swimming great Michael Phelps has not shied away from speaking about his mental health issues. But Phelps's wife Nicole fears she may not have him around.

Nicole told TODAY Parents magazine: "After Vanessa [Bryant] lost Kobe, all I could do was look at Michael and be like, 'Can we please help you?' Because if I lose you, I don't know what I'm going to do. Michael is the most amazing father and partner I could have ever asked for."

Basketball icon Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, died in a Los Angeles helicopter crash on January 26 last year. Seven other persons were killed too. Phelps and Nicole married in 2016 and have three sons - Boomer, four, Beckett, two and Maverick, one.

Phelps, who bid adieu to the pool after winning five golds and one silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, felt his mental health has impacted his wife. "Nicole loves me and wants to help. She wants me to get better. But she's struggling herself. She needs that support as well. I know it's hard for her," he said.