Chamique Holdsclaw is one of the most decorated athletes in women’s basketball history. She won an NCAA National Championship at Tennessee, an Olympic gold medal and is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Off the court she struggled with mental illness, having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and severe anxiety. On Thursday night she will come to Lincoln to share her journey. Holdsclaw’s presentation, Hoops, Hope and Healing, is a story of resilience, prioritizing mental health and asking for help. Her memoir, “Breaking Through,” documents her life as a global women’s basketball star while privately battling the debilitating impacts of mental illness.
She says she suffered from serious bouts of depression and manic episodes, attempting to take her life by overdosing on prescription medication in 2006. Six years later, she was arrested in Atlanta and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a felony. After the incident in Georgia, Holdsclaw was finally open to getting help.
After a long journey of learning to manage her illnesses, Holdsclaw is now dedicated to mental health and wellness activism. She travels the country sharing her experiences to inspire and help others.
Thursday’s event will take place at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and features a mental health fair before and after the program. Holdsclaw will be available for a book signing after the program.