POUGHKEEPSIE, New York - Marist had the opportunity to host Chamique Holdsclaw on Wednesday as a guest speaker for an on-stage discussion regarding student-athlete mental health.
Holdsclaw, an accomplished former professional and collegiate basketball player, spoke with Marist women's basketball player, Maeve Donnelly in an on-stage open interview about her own struggles with mental health, sharing some anecdotes about the difficulties she faced in her life and career. As somebody who has spoken about her own mental health in the past, Donnelly opened various dialogues with Holdsclaw allowing everyone insight into the experiences of somebody who has overcome many obstacles as a collegiate and professional athlete. The WNBA Hall of Famer and former first overall pick spoke on several topics such as: the transition from high school to college & college to professional athletics, the pressures that befall student-athletes and the importance of supporting one another.
The culture of mental health in college sports has seen a dramatic change from when Holdsclaw was playing at the University of Tennessee in the late 90's to now. Despite this, there is still a lingering stigma regarding college athletes' mental health. It's because of said stigma that events such as this are so vital to creating a healthier environments for college athletes to strive. The chance to allow those who may be currently struggling in silence hear the experiences of somebody that has been in a similar position is crucial to help this individuals feel like they are not alone.
The importance of supporting one another is key to Holdsclaw's message; to be mindful and emotionally literate of one another is the foundation of a strong athletic community at Marist or any other institution. Student-athlete mental health is a community endeavor, and plays an critical role in the overall college sports experience for many.
"We have to normalize this conversation." says Holdsclaw, "That's what changes things, it makes people more aware of what others are going through."
